The Point, intersection of Second Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, Warren, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of July 1907. Note Ferris Wheel, installed at the right of the postcard.
How to Collect Postcards
By Steve Grant
Postcards can be an exciting hobby or collection, that's easy to start. History and design are only a few of the interests for the serious postcard collector. The value of a postcard also influences collections.
Value is often based on condition, age and also by subject matter. Some topics are not very collectible at all, while other postcards are so highly desirable that people will pay outrageous sums for them.
Subject matter and themes can be complicated when determining value. So if you were starting a collection or selling postcards it would be wise to invest in a good reference book about them. Make sure that it includes a price guide.
Subject matter
- Holiday themes are hugely popular, especially postcards that depict scenes of Halloween or Santa Claus.
- Any card that the artist signed is automatically worth more than those that are unsigned. There were a number of very talented artists that created postcards back then and today their work is in much demand by serious collectors.
- Historical postcards or events or towns. Any image of a subject, time or location that does not exist has value.
- Sets of postcards and postcard series were very popular in years past. Postcard series were a very successful marketing tool that was used by several of the postcard manufacturers. Once someone had a postcard that was part of a series, they naturally wanted the rest of the set. Today, collectors will pay a substantial premium to secure the one card they might need to complete a set or series.
Unique types of postcards from the past.
- A “hold to light postcard.” These cards have cutouts in the top layer with colored paper placed below. An example would be bright yellow paper showing through cutouts shaped like candle flames. Upon holding the postcard up to the light, the candles appear to be lit.
- “Mechanical postcard.” This postcard will have at least one moving part such as a wheel that is hidden beneath the top layer of the card. The wheel might contain the 12 months of the year allowing for a particular month to show through a small window. This postcard provided the opportunity for someone to personalize a postcard to celebrate a special occasion. Birthdays, anniversaries and weddings were events often used for thistype of card.
One final consideration when collecting vintage postcards is most early postcards were filled out and mailed. Cards that were used versus unused will have an effect on its value. When it comes to a used card, the value may not lie with the actual postcard, but with the postage stamp affixed to it, the postmark or the information on the card.
Many old postage stamps or non-existent post office stamps are quite valuable. For example I have a postcard in my collection that has the post office mark from Kinzua, Pa. The town was demolished for the building of the Kinzua Dam in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.
When collecting postcards take time to evaluate the entire postcard, its history and its use.
For more info on local postcards visit Allegheny Bookmart, located at The Point in Warren, Pensylvania.
This article originally appeared at the web site, www.alleghenybook.com and is used with permission. Copyright 2010 by Allegheny Bookmart, Warren, Pennsylvania.
To view a selection of local postcards from Warren's past, visit this link.
