What Makes A Postcard Valuable?
Postcards are collected for thousands of reasons. Some are topical like Christmas cards, cards featuring Santa, Valentines, Halloween, animals, etc... and others are topographical which are regional images and views, buildings, your hometown, etc...
There are plenty of cards out there to fit any interest varying in price from ten pence to thousands of pounds.
Obviously the older cards are more desirable to a lot of postcard collectors but even cards printed very recently are collected. The first known postcard was introduced in Austria in 1869 and was postally used in 1873.
Postcards made in the USA before 1907 had an un-divided back and the only thing that could be written on the reverse of the card was the address. The front of the card usually had a smaller image or design which didn't take up the entire card or left an end open for a short message. After 1907 the back of the card was divided into two sides, one for the address and the other side for the message.
Real photo cards became widespread from around 1910 until the early 1950s. Linen postcards were introduced in the 1930s during the Depression and were still able to be used into the early 1950s.
Chrome cards, sometimes called photochrome, made their appearance in the late 1940s and are usually the type of card you would find today. A number of these somewhat "modern cards" showing cafes, roadside attractions such as tourist camps, motels and tourist areas have become very popular for collectors.
If you live in a city, you will be able to pick up 'rack' cards. These cards can also be purchased at postcard shows or from dealers and are usually, but not always, fairly inexpensive...
The better shape the card is in certainly affects its value. Creases, folds, tears, soiling dirt (postmark bleed through and water damage) can lower the value of a card.
When dealing with a real photo postcard the sharpness, contrast, under or over exposure can also affect the graded condition and overall value of the card.
Also, certain types of subject matter are more desirable to many collectors. High Street Scenes, Interior Views, Occupational and Railroad images (trains, depots, etc..) are probably some of the more expensive to find and acquire. When it comes to greetings postcards the most popular are Halloween, full sized Santas and Art Nouveau. There are many others and of course everybody has different interest and likes.
People collect all kinds of cards for all different reasons. Of course rarity always come into play with collectibles even postcards! Purchasing a postcard value book can come in very handy if you are serious about your collecting.
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A Quick Overview Of Postcard CollectingBeing Part Of A Postcard Club
British Seaside Postcards
Chrome Era - 1939 To Present
Deltiology
Design Your Own Postcard
Early 4th Of July Postcards
Free Postcard Collecting Software
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History Of Postcards... Early Era
How To Keep Your Cards
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Postcards And Genealogy
Postcard Memories Of Travelling The USA
Postcards From The Past
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 Design Your Own Postcard With Netpost Services of the United States Postal Service you can create and.. Why Use A Postcard Why use a postcard? Why not a regular size piece of paper? You can.. A Quick Overview Of Postcard Collecting Post card collectors or more formally deltiologists, generally.. History Of Postcards... Early Era PIONEER ERA (1889-1898) This era began when vendors and.. |
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