This original KTNT Radio Verified Reception Stamp is a rare find from the early days of American radio, issued by KTNT (“Know The Naked Truth”)—a controversial Iowa-based station founded by the infamous Norman G. Baker. These stamps were part of a now-vanished tradition among early radio enthusiasts: proof of a successful “DX” (long-distance) radio reception.
Listeners would write to radio stations, often including detailed reports of signal strength, clarity, and programming content. In return, stations mailed back “verified reception” stamps or cards like this one—official confirmation of the listener’s successful connection. These items were highly prized by hobbyists and shortwave collectors, functioning much like passport stamps from across the radio spectrum.
About KTNT Radio and Its Founder
KTNT first crackled to life in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1925, conceived by Norman G. Baker—a vaudeville magician turned inventor, radio mogul, and, eventually, one of America’s most notorious medical fraudsters. With a bombastic voice and populist tone, Baker used KTNT to champion the “common man” and wage verbal war on what he claimed were corrupt doctors, bankers, and politicians. His station broadcast everything from farm news and home remedies to aggressive anti-establishment rhetoric.
But KTNT’s real infamy grew when Baker began using it to promote a “cure” for cancer—one he concocted without any medical background. After clashing with the American Medical Association and losing his license, Baker doubled down, opening a so-called “hospital” in Arkansas’s Crescent Hotel where he offered fake treatments to vulnerable patients seeking hope. He was eventually convicted of mail fraud in 1940 and served time in federal prison.
If you want to learn more about Norman Baker and his various crimes, head over to our Lantern Light blog post here.
An Artifact of Radio Rebellion
This stamp stands as a physical reminder of the strange crossroads between early American broadcasting, pseudoscience, and showbiz spectacle. It’s a slice of radio history with a dark twist—both a collector’s gem and a cautionary tale.
Stamp Features:
Marked with KTNT insignia and verification notation
Likely mailed to a listener who confirmed successful reception of KTNT’s signal
Condition: Incredible, mint condition.
For collectors of vintage radio ephemera, medical quackery history, or odd Americana, this KTNT verification stamp offers a rare and fascinating glimpse into one of the strangest voices ever to beam across the American airwaves.
