W1AW 1939 Hartford, Connecticut

Operator: George Hart W1NJM

This is possibly the original version of the famous W1AW QSL signed by George Hart, W1NJM.
Hart began his ARRL career August 1938 as second operator of the Maxim Memorial Station, behind main operator Hal Bubb, W1JTD.
ARRL co-founder and first President Hiram Percy Maxim, W1AW, went SK, on 17 February 1936, at the age of 66, after 22 years at the helm of the league.
The original Headquarter's station, W1MK, located at Hartford's Brainard Field, was totally destroyed by the waters of the Connecticut River during the devastating New England flood of March 1936.
No trace of the antenna structure remained after the flood waters receded!
The traffic handling work of W1MK, was picked up by the League club station, W1INF, located in nearby West Hartford.
December 1936, at the request of the ARRL Board of Directors, the FCC assigned the W1AW call to the league in memoriam. The first action of it's kind.
A new 7 acre site, in Newington, purchased for $2,200, would become the site of a new station in memoriam of Maxim, co-founder of the ARRL.
The Maxim Memorial Station, W1AW, was dedicated on 2 September 1938. The dedication being broadcast nationally through the facilities of WTIC Hartford.
Gorge Hart W1NJM, ex W3AMR, would continue at the league as Acting Communications Manager, Communications Assistant and finally Communications Manager in 1967.
Hart retired in 1978 after 40 years with the league.

QSL + Info courtesy of W4WJ