Olympia postcard, Cortina d’Ampezzo, 1956, 15

Product detailed description

Condition: Good

Dimensions: 8 cm x 6 cm

Behind the scenes of the Olympics! A collectible GDR cigarette card from the series on the 7th Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo, picture 15 of 100. The front shows a black and white photo of the Italian RAI broadcast room: technicians in headphones at control desks, monitors and mid-1950s television sets. The German text on the reverse explains that the TV picture was checked here before letting thousands of people in many European countries follow the Olympic events. Published by VEB Volkskunstverlag Reichenbach.

Facts at a glance

• Item: collectible cigarette card
• Series: VII. Olympische Winterspiele in Cortina d’Ampezzo, 100 pictures
• Number: Bild 15
• Subject: broadcast room of Italian television RAI, technicians at control desks and monitors
• Publisher: Volkseigene Zigarettenindustrie (GDR state cigarette industry), printed by VEB Volkskunstverlag Reichenbach/V.
• Markings: III 18/97, A 246/56 DDR
• Reverse text: German; collecting album available from Buchhaus Leipzig for 4.20 DM

Expert note – FAQ

Were the 1956 Cortina Olympics shown on television?
The 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo were among the first Games to be televised on a wider scale. Italy’s RAI produced the pictures, which were relayed via the Eurovision network to many European countries, letting viewers follow events almost live.

Why collect behind-the-scenes Olympic cards?
Cards without sporting action, showing the behind-the-scenes organisation or technology, present the Olympics from a less familiar angle. Collectors value them for documenting period equipment and the people without whom the Games could not have happened, complementing the sporting cards.

What equipment does the card show?
The card shows mid-1950s television equipment: control monitors with small screens, TV receivers, control desks and technicians’ headphones. The photo is a valuable visual record of the early years of European television and sports broadcasting.