The first radio licences were issued in November 1922 when the fledgling British Broadcasting Company began its transmissions. It cost a staggering ten shillings (fifty pence) - a huge amount of money in those days.

So new was the idea of "licences" that, for the first few months, a personal letter was sent out giving permission to listen! Here is an example from January 24th 1923 to an address in Birmingham where the BBC started its radio service on November 15th 1922.

(Thanks to John Darlaston for this treasured document that belonged to his father)

These letters later enclosed a permit to be carried at all times

At the end of 1923 just 200 000 licences had been issued .. and a proper licence document produced. 

(Stephen Dunderdale collection - 5 April 1923)

As you would expect there was an official application form to fill in. Note that if you bought a radio made by the British Broadcasting Company you got a 33% discount. If you made it yourself you had to do your best not to use "foreign" components !

This January 1925 licence pre dates the formation of the British Broadcasting Corporation by two years. Note that there is actually an error on this licence .. the postmaster wrote "26" as the year of issue .. but check the post mark for the actual date the licence was purchased.

Mr McIntyres relatives supplied this licence and they remembered his interest in radio and the aerial he had stretching around the house and into the garden. If a thunderstorm loomed he would break the circuit for obvious reasons!

 

Whilst Mr McIntyre's licence refers to the 1904 Wireless Telegraphy Act later licences reflected the amendments to this parliamentary bill.

By the middle of 1928 the number of licences had risen to 2 500 000.

Finally, for the 1920s, a little jump back in time to another licence from 1925 which has survived the intervening years slightly better