How old are vintage postcards?
The first commercial postcards produced in the U.S. were sold at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago Illinois. These were the first privately printed souvenir postcards in the country. Does your card have the words "Private Mailing Card, Authorized by Act of Congress on May 19, 1898" on the back?
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.
What is an antique postcard?
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 date old postcards?
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.
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.
Are 1950s postcards 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.
How do I know if my old postcards are valuable?
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.
What is the most valuable postcard?
African American Mother and Son Postcard
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.
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.
Can I sell old postcards?
Sell your cards through an auction house.
You can either consign your cards to a particular auction house, where they will take a percentage of the profits, or you can sell to them directly. This may be the best option if your collection is worth more than $500.
What is the most valuable old postcard?
Display antique postcards in your house by framing them in a gallery wall arrangement, using shadow boxes, or attaching them to a wire or string with clips for a unique display. Consider grouping them by theme, color, or size for a cohesive look.
What can I do with antique 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.
When was the golden age of postcards?
Postcards are like memory keepers, little pieces of time, place, and if used, messages. People collect them like snapshots of places they have been. If you find such images that were once important to someone now dead, you might collect those for the individuality, expressions of what was contemporary then, etc.
Why do people collect old postcards?
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.
What are vintage postcards made of?
The earliest known picture postcard was a hand-painted design on card created by the writer Theodore Hook. Hook posted the card, which bears a penny black stamp, to himself in 1840 from Fulham (part of London).
What are the oldest postcards in the world?
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 collectibles?
Postcards are an easy-to-find, super-cheap “souvenir” available pretty much everywhere around the world.
Do postcards still exist?
Deltiologists, as postcard collectors are called, collect for a variety of reasons. Some are attracted to the postcards themselves, then narrow down their interests.
What is a collector of old postcards called?
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.
Are vintage postcards copyrighted?
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.
How do you clean old postcards?
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.
Are postcards already stamped?
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.
How do you protect vintage postcards?
Storing vintage postcards is much simpler today than even a few years ago. Two good storage systems are shown here: a loose-leaf album with pages that have see-through pockets for the postcards, and a secure moisture-resistant container that can be divided into labeled section for larger numbers of cards.
How do you preserve vintage postcards?
The Private Mailing Card Act of May 19, 1898, stipulated that private mailing cards measure 3.25 x 5.5 inches. After 1901, postcards typically measured 3.5 x 5.5 inches, although variations in size exist. In the 1960s, some printers began producing 4 x 6 inch postcards.
What is the current price of a postcard?
Takeaways: Postcard sizes
Standard postcards include sizes ranging from 3-inches x 4-inches to 4.25-inches x 6-inches and cost just $0.40 cents to mail. Jumbo postcards range from 5-inches x 7-inches to 6-inches x 11-inches and have a mailing rate of $0.55.
What size are most vintage postcards?
An Act of U.S. Congress on May 19, 1898 granted private printers permission to print and sell cards that bore the inscription “Private Mailing Card (“PMCs”). The required postage was a 1-cent adhesive stamp. At this time, a dozen or more American printers began to focus on post card production.
How much should a postcard cost?
If you consign your postcards to an auction house, they will offer a high level of exposure to specialist collectors by combining a live auction with internet and telephone bidders – in return for a percentage of the realisation.
What year was a postcard 1 cent?
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.
Does anyone want old 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.
Are postcards a good investment?
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.
Are there rules for postcards?
For the purpose of clarification, the term “Postal Card” refers to cards that were printed and sold by a governmental body on which postage paid indicia were preprinted on the cards themselves. The term “Postcard” refers to cards which were privately produced and were not sold with postage prepaid.
How much is a Titanic postcard worth?
Leather postcards came into being in 1903. They were made out of deer hide. Images were burned and inked into them. These postcards were novelties: sent to relatives and laced together as pillow coverings or wall hangings.
What is the difference between a postcard and a post card?
Linen postcards are recognizable by their texture and vivid colors, as well as for their picturesque displays of nature and other scenes.
How old are leather 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.
How can you tell if a postcard is linen?
17-18), postcard size can also be a clue. Ø If the card is old and is larger than 3.5 by 5.5 inches, it may date from before 1898. 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.
Are 100 year old postcards valuable?
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 how old a postcard is?
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.
Are postcards from 1907 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.
When were postcards most popular?
African American Mother and Son Postcard
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.
How do I know if my old postcards are valuable?
The first cards were issued by Austria-Hungary in 1869, a proposal by Dr Emanuel Herrmann, though he was not the first to suggest the idea. They were produced in two languages – German and Hungarian – and were extremely popular. Example of early Austrian Postcard, 1872, PS005/21.
What is the most valuable postcard?
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.
What is the first country to use postcards?
Sell your cards through an auction house.
You can either consign your cards to a particular auction house, where they will take a percentage of the profits, or you can sell to them directly. This may be the best option if your collection is worth more than $500.
Are postcards from 1950 worth anything?
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.
Can I sell old 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.
Why are postcards cheaper?
Postcards are like memory keepers, little pieces of time, place, and if used, messages. People collect them like snapshots of places they have been. If you find such images that were once important to someone now dead, you might collect those for the individuality, expressions of what was contemporary then, etc.
When was the golden age of postcards?
Vintage postcards offer a tangible link to the past, evoking a sense of nostalgia that connects collectors to bygone eras. These small pieces of paper carry snapshots of history, reflecting the architecture, fashion, transportation, and cultural nuances of the time they were created.
Why do people collect old 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 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.
What is an antique postcard?
The earliest known picture postcard was a hand-painted design on card created by the writer Theodore Hook. Hook posted the card, which bears a penny black stamp, to himself in 1840 from Fulham (part of London).
Do people buy vintage postcards?
What can I do with antique postcards?
What are the oldest postcards in the world?
What are vintage postcards made of?
Are 1960s postcards worth anything?
How do I know if my old postcards are valuable?
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.
When was the golden age of postcards?
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.
What are the most valuable old 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.