Why do people buy old postcards?
First printed and sent by the postal service circa 1840, the popularity of sending postcards has sadly declined in the digital era. However, postcard collecting is still an extraordinarily satisfying hobby –and it remains popular with those who are interested in history, architecture, art and other wide-ranging topics.
What do people do with vintage postcards?
Frame them: Frame your favorite postcards in a museum mount or make a collage and then frame them. You could also take a large frame and have multiple mounts to showcase about 6 or 8 of them. String them and hang them: String the postcards and hang them by a mirror or a large wall art.
Are vintage postcards worth anything?
A vintage postcard's value is obviously dependent on its age, condition, rarity and the subject matter. If there is a message of historical importance or a signature from somebody famous on the back, a postcard can increase in value.
Why do people collect postcards?
People have been collecting postcards for decades; they are a snapshot in time and give a wonderful insight into what life was like back then. They also generally keep their value, don't degrade and the longer you keep them, the more valuable they could become.
Are 100 year old postcards valuable?
Age: The older a postcard is, the more likely it is to be valuable. Postcards from the early 1900s and earlier are generally more sought after by collectors. Rarity: Postcards that are rare or unique are more valuable than those that are common or mass-produced.
Do people buy vintage postcards?
Many postcards sold for a few cents (or even a penny) when they were first made, but they're a lot more valuable now. The value of old postcards depends several factors, including their condition, rarity, age, and subject.
Are postcards from 1907 worth anything?
The cards are quite scarce. The Statue of Liberty card is worth about $50. The Cracker Jack cards are famous for bears. They're from 1907, and this card is worth between $75 and $100.
How can you tell if a postcard is vintage?
The vintage ones are black and white photography. There may be some indication on the back of the card about the type of photo paper used - this is often indicated by the stamp box, which will be visible if your postcard is unused.
Can you make money selling postcards?
People will pay good money for a postcard they can't get from anywhere else. Because of this, postcards should sell especially well on marketplaces that thrive on rarity like Etsy and eBay.
What are old postcards called?
Antique Postcards - Although the word Antique is generally considered to mean an item over 100 years old, many collectors use the term antique postcards to describe cards of the 1893 - 1920 period, also known as the Golden Age.
How do you protect vintage postcards?
Individual polyethylene bags and sleeves, specifically sized for postcards, offer archival protection and the ability to see both the front and back of each card.
Are vintage postcards copyrighted?
Some vintage postcards are copyright protected, and others are not. If a postcard is copyright protected, it cannot be reproduced or used without permission. However, many vintage postcards are not copyright protected and are available in public domain – which means they can be reproduced and used freely by anyone.
What is the most expensive postcard ever sold?
The most valuable picture postcard in the world was sent by Theodore Hook Esq. to himself in 1840 and was bought at the London Stamp Exchange auction, UK on 8 March 2002 by collector Eugene Gomberg (Latvia) for £31,758.75 ($45,370.60). It is also considered to be the oldest postcard in the world.
What is so special about postcards?
Many postcards are sent when people are traveling and want to share a local view without writing a page-long letter. They're quick and efficient to get a message across and don't require an envelope to mail them, which makes them unique to the mailing system.
Why do people like postcards?
They're collectible. Tchotchkes like magnets and T-shirts are cool, but they take up a lot of space and can't really be considered timeless — they mostly just collect dust. A postcard is a souvenir that not only preserves your memories of a trip, but simultaneously captures a moment in history.
Are postcards from 1910 worth anything?
In most cases vintage postcards are relatively inexpensive, making them ideal for beginning collectors. But in some cases, postcards, especially some produced between 1893 and 1950, can be worth a great deal of money.
Are postcards still popular?
Has sending postcards as a marketing tool become obsolete? No. Direct mail still works and isn't going anywhere any time soon. Postcards are still an effective way of sending targeted messages, just as they've been for the last 100 years or so.
What are vintage postcards made of?
By far the most common material for producing postcards, as with most print media, was paper. Postcard printers typically used white cardstock, as did the Bridge from Goat Isle postcard (right), though off-white or cream was also common. Less frequent, but still used, were colored cardstocks.
Are 1960s postcards worth anything?
Assessing an old postcard's value
You now need to look at the 5" x 3" cards produced in the 1960s or earlier. However, it is important to realise that the value of these cards is not determined by their age and that 90 per cent or so of the average collection will have very little value.
How much is a Titanic postcard worth?
Postcard sent from the Titanic when in Cork harbour, which is estimated at £15,000-20,000 in the Warwick & Warwick auction on July 18. Postcard sent from the Titanic when in Cork harbour, which is estimated at £15,000-20,000 in the Warwick & Warwick auction on July 18.
Why are postcards cheaper?
Different postage prices apply to postcards, letters, large envelopes (flats), and parcels. In general, the bigger your mailpiece, the more it will cost to mail. In First-Class Mail, postcards cost less than letters. Letter size mail costs less than flat-size mail.
When was the golden age of postcards?
The decade between 1905-1915 – the Golden Age of Postcards – saw postcard collecting reach a zenith of staggering proportion. Literally millions of postcards were printed, imported, sold and mailed.
Are postcards collectibles?
Postcard collecting has been a popular American pastime since the hobby's Golden Age more than a hundred years ago. For today's collector, postcards offer historic photography, snapshots of pop culture and everyday life, colorful works by famous artists—and the thrill of the hunt as you build your collection.
Are postcards a good investment?
With high visibility and low printing and postage costs, postcards are a cost-effective, personalized way to boost return on investment (ROI) and ensure campaign success.
How to make money from postcards?
You don't have to worry about choosing the best way to sell postcards online when you can sell them everywhere. Run an Ecwid store on your own website, on popular social media platforms, or through marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
Are there rules for postcards?
To qualify as a postcard, a mail piece must be rectangular and meet these dimensions (per USPS regulations): At least 3-1/2” high X 5” long X 0.007” thick. No more than 6” high X 9” long X 0.016” thick. Have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125”
What is the world's oldest postcard?
The Penny Penates is a postcard that was posted on 14 July 1840 to Fulham in London. It was addressed to the writer and practical joker Theodore Hook, who was probably also its sender and artist. The hand-painted design on the postcard shows an image of post office clerks sitting around a giant ink well.
What is the difference between a postcard and a post card?
Stamped cards, called postal cards prior to 1999, refer to mailing cards issued by the Postal Service with postage stamps imprinted on them. Postcards refer to privately printed and sold cards that require a stamp for mailing.
How do you clean old postcards?
First choice would be to try a gum eraser. Swipe outward to avoid causing a crease. You can try soaking the card in distilled water overnight and then putting it between layers of paper towels, Put a large flat object like a cooking sheet on it then a heavy object. Change the paper towels after a few hours.
What can I do with lots of postcards?
Frame your favourite postcards
You could frame them in a meuseum mount as I have or make a collage and then frame them. Or you could take a large frame and have multiple mounts to showcase about 6 or 8 of them as its done in this photo. Alternatively, you could add in running open shelves and stand your cards.
How old is an antique postcard?
Ø If the card is old and is slightly smaller than 3.5 by 5.5 inches, it may date from 1898-1902. Ø If the card measures 3.5 by 5.5 inches, it was probably made between 1902 and 1970. Ø If the card measures approximately 4 by 6 inches (“continental” size) and is American, it was probably made no earlier than the 1960s.
Can you send vintage postcards?
Re: Suggestions for Safely Shipping Vintage Postcards
I place thin card stock over the card on both sides and tape carefully. This stiffens the card so it won't bend. I place inside a bubble envelope and mail USPS First Class. I've never had a problem in 21 years of selling.
Why were old photos printed on postcards?
As cameras were expensive and not widely available in the early part of the last century families would often visit a local photographers studio to have their photo taken. These shots were turned into postcards so they could be sent to family and friends.
What is a tuck postcard?
Each Tuck postcard had an imprint of the British royal coat of arms (the Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Victoria had been obtained in 1893), and the Tuck trademark, an easel, palette, and brushes and the monogram R.T. &S. (usually printed in the box where a stamp would be affixed).
What is the current price of a postcard?
First restricted by size, color, and other regulations, postcard production blossomed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Postcards were popular because they were a quick and easy way for individuals to communicate with each other. Today deltiology, or the collection of postcards, is a popular hobby.
When were postcards most popular?
Most of us collect postcards out of nostalgia – to reminisce about a certain time or a certain place. Historians use them to interpret the history of a town or place, and some genealogists use them to help document family histories.
Why do people collect postcards?
On the flip side, postcard mailings can seem less personal and less formal than an envelope mailing. They're often immediately recognized as an advertisement, so it's important to use the space wisely and capture your audience's attention quickly with an appealing offer.
What are the disadvantages of postcards?
Age: The older a postcard is, the more likely it is to be valuable. Postcards from the early 1900s and earlier are generally more sought after by collectors. Rarity: Postcards that are rare or unique are more valuable than those that are common or mass-produced.
Why are postcards valuable?
Keep in mind, rarity goes hand in hand with other characteristics when it comes to value. If only a single card was printed, that makes it rare. But if the topic is uninteresting or the postcard is newer, then rarity doesn't really matter very much. In this case, it may be the only one, but no one wants it.
Which country sends the most postcards?
The better condition a postcard is in, the more valuable it is, says the Texas Antique Mall. That being said, since old postcards have more value than new ones, auctioneers and collectors may still pay top-dollar, even for pieces with minor signs of wear and age.
What makes a postcard rare?
The vintage ones are black and white photography. There may be some indication on the back of the card about the type of photo paper used - this is often indicated by the stamp box, which will be visible if your postcard is unused.
Are very old postcards worth anything?
These early postcards quickly became a popular way for people to send greetings. By the Pioneer Period (1870-1898), postcards were already being collected and traded. With advances in printing technology, vintage postcards became more ornate and pictorial, leading to the Golden Age of Postcards from 1898 to 1915.
How can you tell if a postcard is vintage?
Known as America's most valuable postcard, this real-photo card depicts a mother and her son holding an American flag. It was produced in the 20th century, and an original in good condition is worth around $20,000 USD.
What is a vintage postcard?
It seems like since people started traveling with smartphones it has become much more common to send a quick WhatsApp or text message instead of investing in an actual paper postcard, making the effort to go and buy a stamp, and to find a letter box to send it (which, let me tell you, isn't always easy, as I learned ...
What is the most valuable postcard?
Many postcards are sent when people are traveling and want to share a local view without writing a page-long letter. They're quick and efficient to get a message across and don't require an envelope to mail them, which makes them unique to the mailing system.
Why don t people send postcards anymore?
There are several creative ways to display antique postcards in your house. You can consider the following ideas: Frame them: Frame your favorite postcards in a museum mount or make a collage and then frame them. You could also take a large frame and have multiple mounts to showcase about 6 or 8 of them.
What is so special about postcards?
Some vintage postcards are copyright protected, and others are not. If a postcard is copyright protected, it cannot be reproduced or used without permission. However, many vintage postcards are not copyright protected and are available in public domain – which means they can be reproduced and used freely by anyone.
What can I do with antique postcards?
by Tom Snyder. n a single word, yes. In most cases vintage postcards are relatively inexpensive, making them ideal for beginning collectors. But in some cases, postcards, especially some produced between 1893 and 1950, can be worth a great deal of money.
Are vintage postcards copyrighted?
The cards are quite scarce. The Statue of Liberty card is worth about $50. The Cracker Jack cards are famous for bears. They're from 1907, and this card is worth between $75 and $100.
Are 100 year old postcards valuable?
Perhaps the most valuable item lost during the sinking of the Titanic, Merry-Joseph Blondel's painting, La Circassienne au bain, would be worth around R55 million if it wasn't at the bottom of the ocean.
Are postcards from 1907 worth anything?
The most valuable single item onboard the Titanic was, however, a 1912 painting by Merry-Joseph Blondel, La Circassienne au bain.
What is the most expensive item on the Titanic?
Many postcards are sent when people are traveling and want to share a local view without writing a page-long letter. They're quick and efficient to get a message across and don't require an envelope to mail them, which makes them unique to the mailing system.
What was the most valuable item pulled from the Titanic?
A postcard is a souvenir that not only preserves your memories of a trip, but simultaneously captures a moment in history. On its way to your home, your postcard will receive stamps and postmarks from around the world, which usually include the date.
What is so special about postcards?
Antique Postcards - Although the word Antique is generally considered to mean an item over 100 years old, many collectors use the term antique postcards to describe cards of the 1893 - 1920 period, also known as the Golden Age.
Why do people like postcards?
Do they still sell them? They definitely do. I don't know how often people actually mail them any more. I have a friend it two who bring me postcards from the places they visit.