Postcard Collecting

Postcards are a form of paper material designed to be thrown away after use, such as calendars or greeting cards. With the development of photography, an inexpensive form of communication opened. Many of the earliest cards, which were often advertisements, were called "real photo" shots and were printed on film stock paper.

The World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893, was likely the first time that picture postcards were mailed. Early cards were not standardized and were sometimes shaped as bouquets or beer steins using die-cuts. Although most cards were greetings, comics or depicted scenery, some (known as mechanicals) had moving parts, such as a spring for a donkey's tail. Other popular designs were puzzles and foldout cards, or those that were see-through. Cards could also be made of unusual materials, such as aluminum or birch bark. They might have additional elements such as human hair.

Because postcards were so popular, a large printing industry grew up around them in Western Europe, as well as in the United States. Card publishers from Europe set up offices in the US, and more than three-fourths of the cards sent were of European design. The "golden age" of postcards lasted from 1898 to 1918.

In the first decade of the twentieth century, the number of postcards produced doubled about every six months. The official tally of postcards sent during the 1907–1908 fiscal year was approximated at 677,777,798. Postcards featured black and white or sepia-toned photographs or pictures. During World War I, both sides used postcards for propaganda. Hand-colored postcards with a linen-like texture were popular in the 1920s. Following the development of color film in 1935, postcards had a more modern look.

Until March 1907, the message was not written on the same side as the address, but on the picture side. If this rule was violated, the cost of mailing a penny postcard doubled. The cost of mailing a postcard reached two cents by 1917, but alternated between one and two cents until 1958, when it reached three cents. Since that year, the rate has risen regularly. Because of the development of the telephone as a quick means of communication, however, postcard sending and collecting declined after World War I, although it continues to be a relatively popular pastime, with National Postcard Week occurring during the first full week of May.

Things to Look For

Building a postcard collection is often a matter of personal taste. Serious collectors judge postcards based on their condition. Mint or near-mint condition brings the highest price, unless a card in only fair condition is seldom found at all.

When looking at antique postcards, check for brown spots, called foxing. These are actually a fungus; it may be removed by bleaching, but great care should be taken in doing so. Cards with a white border were printed before the 1940s. These cards have almost always been used. After the 1940s, printers generally spread images all the way to the edges of the postcards. In addition, collectors check for undivided backs of cards, which indicate an earlier card. Cards made before 1935 will be black-and-white or sepia-toned.

Trends

By the end of the second decade of the twenty-first century, as more generations had been raised in a time when postcards were generally not sent and people relied upon the instant communication provided by smartphones and social media websites, concerns had grown among postcard-collecting communities that the hobby would begin to fade if collectors could not attract the interest of younger people.

Special sets of cards that are related in theme sell well. Sets are usually printed in groups of four, six, seven, eight, or twelve. They may be based on months of the year or days of the week. They differ from a series, which has a common publisher and artist, though the individual cards may not have been printed together.

Other popular postcards show advertising, early airplanes, fire equipment, coins, or stamps (collecting stamps is a hobby in itself). Collectors are especially interested in postcards commemorating special events, showing historic scenes, or created by important publishers or artists. The most valuable cards are woven silk cards and pre-1898 cards, especially of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

Postcard Collecting for Fun vs. Profit

Most people collect postcards for the joy of it. These collections may be based on themes, country of origin, design or location.

Deciding to become a dealer rather than a collector of postcards involves a different level of preservation. Although a dealer may store postcards in plastic sleeves, the stock is continually rotating. Private collectors should avoid this practice unless using archival quality sleeves. Keeping postcards in photo albums is generally a mistake. The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) of non-archival quality plastic sleeves or albums will damage antique postcards over time. Writing on the postcards to identify them or putting tape on them will also devalue them.

Dealers often travel to flea markets or antique malls to sell their wares. This may involve a considerable commitment in time or money for booth rental. While the convenience of online auction services such as eBay has made finding and buying postcards easier, many collectors still prefer to attend shows to be able to hold the items and inspect them before they buy.

Learning More

Books

Bogdan, Robert and Todd Weseloh. The Real Photo Postcard Guide: The People's Photography. Syracuse UP, 2006.

Mashburn, J.L. The Artist-Signed Postcard Price Guide. 2nd ed., Colonial House, 2003.

Penniston, Benjamin H. The Golden Age of Postcards: Early 1900s Identification & Values. Collector Books, 2008.

Phillips, Tom. The Postcard Century. Thames & Hudson, 2000.

Reed, Charlotte, and Robert Reed. Postcards for the Holidays: Identification and Value Guide. 2nd rev. ed., Collector Books, 2005.