Postcards, a bit of history.

  Do you own, or maybe have you inherited, a box of old postcards? You might have something special in your closet.

 The most expensive postcard ever sold was a card sent by writer Theodore Hook to himself in 1840. It went for £31,758.75 ($45,370.60) at a London Stamp Exchange auction in 2002. The card is considered to be the oldest postcard in the world

   The first privately-issued postcards in the United States were sold in 1861, but the first government-issued postcard was not issued until 1873: Stamp collectors distinguish between postcards (which require a postage stamp) and postal cards (which have the postage pre-printed on them).

 

 The value of a postcard is affected by several obvious factors: 

Age: Postcards issued after the 1960s are generally not very valuable. The postmark on the back of the card can help determine its age. 

Size: Cards larger than 5" x 3" were only popular in the United States after the 1960s. 

Condition: The condition of the postcard can affect its value. 

Rarity: Rare and unique postcards are more valuable. 

Subject matter: Postcards with rare or unusual subject matter, such as historical events, famous people, or scenes from long-gone places, are more valuable. 

Signature or message: Postcards with a signature or message of historical importance are more valuable. 

Stamps and postal markings: Stamps and postal markings can increase a postcard's value. 

1893

The first picture postcards in the United States were sold at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. 

  Cards showing images increased in number during the 1880s. Images of the newly built Eiffel Tower in 1889 and 1890 gave impetus to the postcard, leading to the so-called "golden age" of the picture postcard.

   The stage was now set for private postcard industry to boom, which it did once the United States government changed the postage rate for private cards from two cents to one in May 1898.  

   The peak came sometime between 1907 and 1910 for the United States. Then the effects of tariffs made a large impact, and escalating hostilities in Europe made it difficult to import cards and ink into the United States. After the war, the demand for postcards decreased, especially as telephone usage grew. The postcard was dubbed the "poor man's telephone". 

  
   But the cards didn't die out, and evolved from paper to linen to Photochrom. Remember the vacation cards? The older ones are a bit of history saved for us to savor. 

                   Here's my Antique Estes Park Postcard.

This tourist post card was sent from Estes Park, Colo to Longmont, Colo back when stamps were only 2 cents! The recipient was Kenneth Clark.       

       Made on extremely thin leather, or product there of, it's not only a nice hello, but a Burro-meter         

                       

      My rescue donkey Jack thought this was funny. Rosie, not so much. Here are a few more cards I have. 

          

        

   Look in your attic or basement, checkout the thrift stores, who knows you may find a fortune in postcards. Or maybe your hero or heroine receives a postcard that starts them on a grand adventure, a mystery, or the path to love.  

My stories: 

Western Romance: Break Heart Canyon * Undercover Outlaw * Cowboys, Cattle and Cutthroats * A Cowboy’s Fate 

*Special Delivery. 

Contemporary Romantic Thriller: Fatal Recall

Medieval Romance: The Dragon and The Rose * Iron Heart        *Promise Me Christmas. 

Victorian Romance: Lady Gallant * Victorian Dream 

Fantasy: The Fae Warriors Trilogy: Solace * Bliss * Portence 

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