By Marc Fischer / Public Collectors
Chicago, IL: Public Collectors, 2024
Pages: 24
Dimensions: 7 in X 4.25 in
Cover: Paper
Binding: staple binding
Process: Risograph and hand coloring with markers and colored pencil
Color: 2-color RISO and full color covers on Ivory, Cream, or White cardstock 
Edition size: 172
ISBN: none

A new mini Public Collectors booklet about the art of QSL cards: specifically black and white cards with rather rough drawings of people or their surrogates. This is publication #88 for whoever else is keeping track. From the back cover:

People that talked to each other over CB radio (a particularly popular form of communication in the 1970s) made printed calling cards that they exchanged with others. They are called QSL cards. In CB radio speak, “QSL” means “I confirm receipt of your transmission.” These postcard-size printed cards were traded through the mail, or through collector clubs and at CB user social gatherings. I have a modest collection of these cards—most of which came from eBay sellers—because I love the art and design. I particularly enjoy cards that feature roughly hand-drawn art and lettering, with jagged linework and forms. I appreciate the urgency of these cards, and the feeling that community participation was more important than fine craft or hiring an illustrator to make some kind of self portrait, couple, or family portrait. Some people clearly worked with what they had, and that just needed to be enough. Hand-colored black and white printed cards are common, and I have many examples of QSL cards that were filled in with markers, colored pencils or both. I imagine families sitting around a table doing this together.

This booklet presents a small sample of my QSL card collection. In the spirit of the form, I’ve hand-colored the cover of each booklet. I printed this on scavenged/thrift store paper and the entire project was created at home in a few days. I’d like to thank my friend Jeff Barratt-McCartney who brought me a couple QSL cards when he recently visited from Michigan. The cards he gave me aren’t in the style of the ones in this booklet, but his visit prompted me to show him my collection, which immediately made me want to make this publication.