Postcards That Are Worth A Pretty Penny
For rare examples prices can go into the low thousands of pounds and it is certainly not all that uncommon to find a £50 postcard hiding in a pile of ordinary cards. Combing through 175 cards it would not be surprising to find one or two that are worth £5 to £10 or even more.
The classic postcard era was from 1898 to 1918 and the cards that fall in this time frame are the most collectible to collectors as a rule.
It is usually the topic or the image or the artist who created the image that establishes its value. Serious postcard collectors are interested in a wide variety of subjects.
Holiday cards are very popular. Thanksgiving (in the United States), Christmas, New Year's, Easter and Valentine's Day postcards are rather common, but cards sent for Halloween, and in America, Labor Day and Ground Hog Day aren't.
Halloween cards are particularly popular right now and some of the most desired ones were created by artist Ellen Clapsaddle. Three of her mechanical Halloween cards with moving parts sold for a little less than $1,500. Artist-signed cards are another focus of strong collector interest. Pieces signed by Rose O'Neil (particularly her Kewpie cards), Philip Boileau, Arpad Basch (in the Art Nouveau style), Grace Drayton, Raphael Kirchner, Alphonse Mucha (look for his card advertising "Waverly Cycles"), Louis Wain (cats and paper dolls) and Florence Upton, to name just a few, are extremely popular.
Whilst Christmas cards are common there are still certain types of Christmas cards that are valuable. There are vast quantities featuring a white Santa Claus in a red suit but find a Santa in a different color of suit or come across a black Santa and you have something of a treasure. Find one in purple robes and the value might shoot up to around £140. One in blue robes trimmed in brown fur and the value can top £250.
Postcard collectors look for what they call hold-to-light cards which have elements such as windows and fireplaces that seem to light up when the back of the card is held to a light. A New Year's hold-to-light card might be worth between £50 and £75, while a regular New Year's card might be worth very little.
Other cards to look for include the real photo cards of small towns or actual events. These can be rather expensive because there may have been only a few specimens of each view printed. Real photo cards that collectors find interesting can go for up to £3,000 and such images as golfers playing a famous course can bring £200 or more.
To be valuable, postcards must be in good condition with no creases or folds. They should not have corners that are dog eared. Fronts that are not written on are the best (backs written on are okay) and no discolouration. If you keep hunting for treasured postcards who's to say yours won't be worth a pretty penny.
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Postcards That Are Worth A Pretty Penny
Sought After Postcards
The History Of Easter Postcards
Unique Postcard Designs
Value Of Real Photo Postcards
What Makes A Postcard Valuable?
Why Use A Postcard
Wooden Postcards And Vintage Designs
Articles History Of Erotic Postcards History of erotic postcards refers to the history of the art and process of.. Chrome Era -- 1939 To Present In 1939 the Union Oil Co. of California began publishing postcard.. New Year's Day Postcards When the picture postcard fad hit America nearly a century ago, publishers.. Wooden Postcards And Vintage Designs Wooden postcards tend to fall within three eras: early, vintage.. |
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