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Page 2 The Antique Shoppe May, 2018
NATIONAL POSTCARD WEEK They should be stored in acid-free, archival covers and kept safe from being bent.
Near mint: Almost like mint except for a very minor flaws.
The first week in May marks National Excellent: No tears or wear. It can be postmarked or written on, provided the
Postcard Week. Early in the 20th century, postcard itself is still in perfect shape.
postcard enthusiasts sent “Postcard Day” Very good: Often mailed, postmarked and written on, but has very few signs of
postcards on May 1st. But the modern wear.
observance “officially” began in 1984 Good: Shows signs of its journey. There may be bent corners, a fold, etc. Unlikely
as a week dedicated to the celebration to be worth much unless it's particularly unusual, rare or was written by something
of Deltiology, the study of postcards, to famous.
encourage the collecting, publishing and Fair to poor: Grimy, beaten up, bent, crushed, creased, etc. These are collected
mailing of picture postcards. The third mostly for sentimental reasons or because they complete a set, or maybe just because
largest hobby after collecting stamps and you like them.
money, collecting postcards can be a very Building your collection: Look online for a very wide variety of postcards both new
rewarding pastime that can be as broad or and old to antique. Auction sites, antique sites and postcard seller sites will provide
as narrow as you’d like. you with a wide array of choices. Visit a postcard trade show. Here you'll find nothing
Postcards sell from 5 cents to hundreds but postcards! Peruse antique stores, flea markets, garage and yard sales, secondhand
of dollars. Price is determined by the bookstores and other similar stores for older postcards. Ask family members for old,
picture on the card, condition, rarity or unwanted postcards.
sometimes the message on the card. Some of the things to consider when purchasing cards include:
Even the stamp or postmark can add Cleanliness of the card: This is not about whether or not it has been written on. It's
value. Cards with pictures of street about the splotches, marks, grime and grease. Try to find postcards that have even
scenes with stores, amusement parks, and unbent edges and haven't been torn or dog eared. It's always preferable if you can
advertising, people, or special events are actually read what has been written on the postcard if it has writing.
very collectible. Some collectors look for Markings: Mostly this is about the postmark. The more legible, the better.
postcards with pictures of early autos, trains, or airplanes. Comic—even naughty— Avoid: Moldy postcards, really badly battered card, stains, or too many folds or
postcards had their heyday around World War I. Postcards with reproduced artwork creases, tears, etc. If it looks tattered, it probably has little value unless the content is
by particular artists or publishers can be valuable. particularly collectible.
Postcards can be collected in many ways but some of the most common approaches Store your cards in archival, acid-free covers available from hobby stores, and
are by artist, location, date, or a theme or interest. online. These will keep dust, grime and stains off the postcards and the paper will
Learn to date postcards by era: Most picture postcards collected today date after be safe from acidity. Keep the cards stored flat and in a place where they cannot be
1910. 1898-1919 is known as the "Golden Age of Postcards", when picture postcards crushed, bent or warped. Ensure that the environment is dry and cool and not humid.
were most popular. The postage stamp can help date vintage postcards—the price Spend some time researching the values of postcards. But don’t get hung up on high
increased 24 times from 1872 to 2013. The U.S. first allowed postcards to be mailed values before you develop your own collecting style. Buy what you like and develop
in 1872 for 1 cent. Postcards mailed before August 1958 cost up to 2 cents. In January your own theme.
2013, the rate jumped up to 33 cents. Another dating tip: the reverse side of a Don’t toss that shoebox of old postcards—they tell stories about the past and can
postcard typically showed the address, postmark and postage until 1907, when a be valuable.
space was created for a message.
•1901-1906 – undivided backs on picture postcards
•1907-1915 – divided backs on picture postcards (a few years earlier in some
countries)
•1915-1930 – white border postcards were common. NORTH PORT Vintage Finder’s
•1930-1950 – linen collectible postcards were common.
•Post 1940 postcards were produced as modern chromes, namely color Warehouse “llc”
photographs instead of the photo-chromes generated from black and white photos in VFW  Dean & Diane Castellano
earlier postcards – early chromes date from the 1940s-1960s.  75
Given that postcards are usually sent within a few years of production, the postmark 1075 Innovation Avenue
can be (but not always) an indicator of age.  75 Unit 106
Learn the collector's terminology and focus. Once you start getting serious about North Port, FL 34289
collecting postcards, you'll find that there are quite a few things to take into account 941-228-8112
when collecting them. Things of importance when collecting postcards include 941-228-7804
condition, age, anything interesting about the postcard such the artist/photographer, Priced to Sell
the image, sometimes the printer, and the postcard's rarity. Other notable things & Dealer Friendly
include the sender, the content of the writing, the address, the stamp/postmark, the
post office markings, etc. Any of these elements could cause a postcard to be very
special. Exclusive Retailer
Dixie Belle Paint
www.vintagefinderswarehouse.com
Learn to determine condition: Mint: This means that the vintage postcard appears vintagefinderswarehouse@yahoo.com
as it would have fresh off the printing press. NO writing, postage, creases, bends, etc.

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