How can you tell if a postcard is vintage?
The vintage ones are black and white photography. There may be some indication on the back of the card about the type of photo paper used – this is often indicated by the stamp box, which will be visible if your postcard is unused.
What makes an old postcard valuable?
Rarity. As with all antique items, rarity brings up the value of postcards. If only a few of the cards were printed or only a small number have survived the ages, your card may be very valuable. However, rarity goes hand-in-hand with other characteristics; if only a single card was printed, that makes it rare.
What is considered a vintage postcard?
Aluminum – Cards made out of aluminum. 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 tell if a postcard is linen?
The “linen” postcards were not actually made from fabric but rather embossed stock, roughened in a process meant to maximize the brightness of the colored ink. The lines the embossing left behind suggested canvas, prompting the shorthand.
Are unused postcards more valuable?
All unused postcards have some value. However, an unused one would be of more value to a deltiologist more so than a philatelist or postal historian due to lacking a postmark and / or stamp(s).
What is the most expensive postcard?
The most valuable picture postcard in the world was sent by Theodore Hook Esq. to himself in 1840 and was bought at the London Stamp Exchange auction, UK on 8 March 2002 by collector Eugene Gomberg (Latvia) for £31,758.75 ($45,370.60). It is also considered to be the oldest postcard in the world.
Is there a market for postcards?
Postcards, especially old ones, can be very collectible. People are often surprised at the high prices some can command. Any postcard having to do with transportation will appeal to some segment of the market. Early aviation views, cards of ocean liners, railroads and cars all have avid collectors.
Do old postcards have value?
The value of old postcards is affected by many variable factors, but demand, condition and rarity often have the greatest influence on how much a postcard’s worth. Childhood Memories: A beautiful postcard by Scottish artist Jessie King (1875 – 1949) from a set of 6 depicting nursery rhymes in an art nouveau style.
How old is a vintage postcard?
Although the world’s first picture postcards date from the 1860s to the mid-1870s, most of the earliest American picture postcards extant today are those that were sold at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois, starting on May 1, 1893.
What kind of postcards are collectible?
Some of the most valuable postcards include photos of ocean liners or railroads, as collectors are interested in making these rare images part of a collection. Photos from the early 1900s of homes, families and other personal scenes are also popular, falling under the name Real Photo Postcards.