M2201

Edward R. Murrow

Journalist

Collins Cover Announcement

EDWARD R. MURROW

This hand-painted COLLINS FDC honors one of the great American broadcast journalists--Edward R. Murrow. From 1937 to 1946 he was Director of the CBS European Bureau. His distinctive voice became known to the American public as he delivered radio accounts covering many of the important events of World War II.

Most remembered are his live broadcasts of the bombing of London and he would begin each of these transmissions with the dramatic opening "This... .is London". My cachet captures the image of war-time England. Murrow sits at his typewriter with the ever-present cigarette protruding from his lips. Behind him, the River Thames reflects the war colors. Parliament and Big Ben stand proud, but beyond, an explosion lights up the city sky and another Nazi rocket can be seen inward-bound just seconds away from delivering its deadly bomb.

After the war, Murrow moved into television and in the fifties he hosted two very popular shows--"See It Now" and "Person to Person". From 1961 to 1964 he was the Director of the United States Information Service. His final appearance was a t.v. spot with a personal plea to young people to never begin smoking.

Murrow was a 1930 graduate of Washington State University at Pullman, Washington. It was here that the new stamp was issued at the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications Building. CBS anchor Dan Rather said that he "towered over American journalism'. His even-toned voice was almost unforgettable to the millions that listened to him, and my cover will always pay tribute to some of his most famous and finest moments when he would bring the war home with "This... .is London". Edward R. Murrow. Item #M2201. $10.75.