Collecting old postcards is a lesson in history, geography, cultures and photography. Private postcards were first invented by John P. Charlton in 1861 and lasted until 1873 when the government created their own postcards. The more common non-postal cards in use across the globe today require a postage stamp to be affixed to the back of a pictorial card. Emmanuel Hermann invented this variation in Austria in 1869. Postcards need to be preserved, displayed and protected properly to maintain the image and quality of the card and prevent unnecessary deterioration.
Choose acid free, archival quality materials to mount and display old postcards to keep them preserved and undamaged for a longer period of time. Look for products labeled accordingly to ensure the best preservation of the postcards. Pick a scrap book or photo album, mounting backings or corners and separation sheets that fit these qualifications.
Clean your hands or wear soft, clean cotton gloves to handle the postcards, particularly valuable or historically significant postcards.
Clean the postcards gently with a soft, clean cloth before putting them on display on your album. Do not rub the cards. Wipe them lightly on both sides. Writing, pictures, attached postage stamps and special signatures need to be handled with care.
Arrange the cards on each page before you attach or mount them to the pages to make sure you like the placement and to prevent having to move them around once mounted.
Use either permanent sticky mounts or try mounted corners that allow you to move the postcards when needed. Make sure either of these are also archival quality.
Attach the sticky mounting pieces or the corners carefully to the postcards before you put them on the page. Do not bend the corners of the old postcards. If you use the sticky mounting pieces, attach them to areas that do not have special stamps or writing. Press the cards with the attached corners or sticky pieces carefully on the album page.
Put a sheet or page of Mylar, glassine or acid-free paper between each page of old postcards to keep them from touching each other.
Store the albums in temperature, light and moisture-controlled areas of your home, office, museum or store.
Happy Postcard Collecting.
Showing posts with label General Information - Hobby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General Information - Hobby. Show all posts
Friday, July 2, 2010
Select New Postcards
Ever since postcards were invented in the 19th century as an economical way to send short messages, the public has enjoyed the process of selecting cards to send to family and friends. The right postcards will allow recipients to share in your joy as you watch water cascade down Niagara Falls or learn the hula in the Hawaiian Isles. Postcards are a vacation staple and popular souvenir, and people select them based on their own individual tastes and interests.
Decide if you will be sending the postcards to others or keeping them for a collection of your own. If you are keeping them for yourself, then you will want to consider how they fit in with your current collection before you select them.
Choose a postcard that best reflects the experience you have had while traveling. If you loved the London Eye or the Eiffel Tower, then postcards that showcase those attractions will help you remember the excitement you felt. They can also allow your friends and family to share in the wonder of your experience.
Make sure new postcards are made of sturdy materials. Since you want them to be long-lasting, do not choose low-quality cards that bend or tear too easily.
Pick new postcards that interest you. This is especially important for new collectors. Don't make choices based exclusively on potential value. If you have albums full of unattractive or uninteresting cards, you are unlikely to continue to collect.
Buy multiple copies of the same postcard if you really like it. That way, you can send some to friends and keep one or two for your own collection.
Acquire postcards that are unique and not easily found in other locations. Postcards featuring the architecture or landmarks of a specific town will not likely be available at the airport gift shop and will add to the distinctiveness of your collection.
Don't limit yourself to colored postcards. Black-and-white cards are just as interesting, if not more so, than the brightly colored cards most people usually buy, and they can add a new dimension to an existing collection.
Happy Postcard Collecting.
Decide if you will be sending the postcards to others or keeping them for a collection of your own. If you are keeping them for yourself, then you will want to consider how they fit in with your current collection before you select them.
Choose a postcard that best reflects the experience you have had while traveling. If you loved the London Eye or the Eiffel Tower, then postcards that showcase those attractions will help you remember the excitement you felt. They can also allow your friends and family to share in the wonder of your experience.
Make sure new postcards are made of sturdy materials. Since you want them to be long-lasting, do not choose low-quality cards that bend or tear too easily.
Pick new postcards that interest you. This is especially important for new collectors. Don't make choices based exclusively on potential value. If you have albums full of unattractive or uninteresting cards, you are unlikely to continue to collect.
Buy multiple copies of the same postcard if you really like it. That way, you can send some to friends and keep one or two for your own collection.
Acquire postcards that are unique and not easily found in other locations. Postcards featuring the architecture or landmarks of a specific town will not likely be available at the airport gift shop and will add to the distinctiveness of your collection.
Don't limit yourself to colored postcards. Black-and-white cards are just as interesting, if not more so, than the brightly colored cards most people usually buy, and they can add a new dimension to an existing collection.
Happy Postcard Collecting.
Organize Postcard collection
Collecting vintage postcards is still a popular hobby, and even today when postcards are no longer sent in the number that they once were, there is a growing number of people looking to the past. Vintage postcards can be collected from a number of sources; internet auctions, postcard fairs and even secondhand stores being just a few. As a collection grows though, many postcard collectors look to ways to organize a vintage postcard collection.
Vintage postcards tend to be stored either in postcard albums or in special storage boxes, and whilst it is easier to view postcards in a n album, it is sometimes either to organize in a box. This is seen at any postcard fair, when the majority of dealers will have their postcards on sale from boxes, which are subdivided by topic. There is no right or wrong way for organizing a vintage postcard collection, and many collectors have their own individual method for arranging their collections. There are though some commonly seen methods amongst collectors and dealers.
In most cases postcards are organized in terms of topic. Popular topics include postcards of vehicles, people and famous landmarks. With such things there is a basic method of organizing which simply groups all like postcards together. Thus if all of the vintage postcards are of castles, then all postcards of Windsor Castle are grouped together and all those of Edinburgh Castle are put together.
Some postcard collectors do try and organize their vintage postcard collection by date, and initially this is a perfect valid method. Organizing by date is an especially good method when the vintage postcards represent one thing over a number of years, often postcards of a particular place. Some vintage postcards can be differentiated into age periods just by looking at them, but in many cases the only way to discern the approximate year is by looking at the stamp and postmark, assuming the postcard is in used condition.
The organizing of any vintage postcard collection is of course up to the individual collector. Ideally though there should be some sort of referencing associated with the individual postcards. This could be just a reference to topic of the postcard, age, and how much was paid for it, but some postcard collectors do go in for much more detail in their cataloguing.
The majority of people do prefer some order in their lives, and this does extend to hobbies. A collection of postcard that is ordered in some way, be it type, topic or some other form of ordering is much more pleasing aesthetically than a collection that is just random postcards put together.
Collecting postcards is now one of the world's most popular hobbies, and often ranks third behind stamp collectors and coin collectors with numbers of enthusiasts. As with many forms of collecting though there is often some difficulty in knowing just how postcards should be stored and displayed.
Many collections of postcards are inherited but equally postcards collectors can start from scratch. No matter what the source it is amazing just how quickly a large collection of postcards can be accumulated. Old postcards can be easily and cheaply picked up from car boot and jumble sales, and every weekend there are stamp and postcards fairs being run around the country. Accumulating postcards leads to the issue of how postcards can be stored safely, and then how they should be displayed. Storage and display though in some case may be the same thing.
Traditionally postcards have always been stored in postcard albums. The older style postcard albums would often seen postcards glued onto pages, something that of course that totally destroys the back of the postcards. Less destructive methods of securing postcards into albums though also saw use of adhesive photo corners, or clear cellophane sheets. Many people though were not satisfied with the use of traditional postcard albums and instead set out to make their own. It is actually a fairly easy process that simply involves the use of A4 paper, adhesive photo corners, a hole punch and a ring binder. Making a postcard album in such a way also has the added benefit of being able to add annotation to describe the postcard without marking the postcard itself. The use of these traditional postcard albums though have the downside as well of only showing off one side of the postcard. There is often a lot of interest to be had from viewing the rear of postcards, to read the anecdotes of those staying on holiday or visiting some attraction.
In recent years postcard collecting has been acknowledged to be big business for a select number of companies, and as a result new methods for displaying postcards have been developed. New postcard albums are made through the use of plastic leaves that postcards slide into. These clear leaves ensure that both the front and the back of the postcard can be clearly viewed. Additional leaves are also easily purchased ensuring that as a postcard collection grows matching pages for the album can also be added. Additionally annotations can be easily added by simple placing card into empty leaves next to the postcards.
As collections grow though it may not be cost effective, or space efficient, to buy albums for displaying postcards. Many people will therefore resort to storing their postcards in storage boxes, often old shoeboxes or similar, but also specially designed postcard storage boxes are available. This storage method often just result in postcards being put one next to each other, with the face and backs of the postcards facing each other. This though can damage postcards, and so it is always advisable to ensure that postcards are first put into paper envelopes to protect the cards from damage.
Collections should be on display, and the use of an album is a relatively simple way to display postcards, and takes up relatively little space. Although postcards will not be on continual display in this method it does ensure that postcards are protected from damage.
Happy Postcard Collecting.
Vintage postcards tend to be stored either in postcard albums or in special storage boxes, and whilst it is easier to view postcards in a n album, it is sometimes either to organize in a box. This is seen at any postcard fair, when the majority of dealers will have their postcards on sale from boxes, which are subdivided by topic. There is no right or wrong way for organizing a vintage postcard collection, and many collectors have their own individual method for arranging their collections. There are though some commonly seen methods amongst collectors and dealers.
In most cases postcards are organized in terms of topic. Popular topics include postcards of vehicles, people and famous landmarks. With such things there is a basic method of organizing which simply groups all like postcards together. Thus if all of the vintage postcards are of castles, then all postcards of Windsor Castle are grouped together and all those of Edinburgh Castle are put together.
Some postcard collectors do try and organize their vintage postcard collection by date, and initially this is a perfect valid method. Organizing by date is an especially good method when the vintage postcards represent one thing over a number of years, often postcards of a particular place. Some vintage postcards can be differentiated into age periods just by looking at them, but in many cases the only way to discern the approximate year is by looking at the stamp and postmark, assuming the postcard is in used condition.
The organizing of any vintage postcard collection is of course up to the individual collector. Ideally though there should be some sort of referencing associated with the individual postcards. This could be just a reference to topic of the postcard, age, and how much was paid for it, but some postcard collectors do go in for much more detail in their cataloguing.
The majority of people do prefer some order in their lives, and this does extend to hobbies. A collection of postcard that is ordered in some way, be it type, topic or some other form of ordering is much more pleasing aesthetically than a collection that is just random postcards put together.
Collecting postcards is now one of the world's most popular hobbies, and often ranks third behind stamp collectors and coin collectors with numbers of enthusiasts. As with many forms of collecting though there is often some difficulty in knowing just how postcards should be stored and displayed.
Many collections of postcards are inherited but equally postcards collectors can start from scratch. No matter what the source it is amazing just how quickly a large collection of postcards can be accumulated. Old postcards can be easily and cheaply picked up from car boot and jumble sales, and every weekend there are stamp and postcards fairs being run around the country. Accumulating postcards leads to the issue of how postcards can be stored safely, and then how they should be displayed. Storage and display though in some case may be the same thing.
Traditionally postcards have always been stored in postcard albums. The older style postcard albums would often seen postcards glued onto pages, something that of course that totally destroys the back of the postcards. Less destructive methods of securing postcards into albums though also saw use of adhesive photo corners, or clear cellophane sheets. Many people though were not satisfied with the use of traditional postcard albums and instead set out to make their own. It is actually a fairly easy process that simply involves the use of A4 paper, adhesive photo corners, a hole punch and a ring binder. Making a postcard album in such a way also has the added benefit of being able to add annotation to describe the postcard without marking the postcard itself. The use of these traditional postcard albums though have the downside as well of only showing off one side of the postcard. There is often a lot of interest to be had from viewing the rear of postcards, to read the anecdotes of those staying on holiday or visiting some attraction.
In recent years postcard collecting has been acknowledged to be big business for a select number of companies, and as a result new methods for displaying postcards have been developed. New postcard albums are made through the use of plastic leaves that postcards slide into. These clear leaves ensure that both the front and the back of the postcard can be clearly viewed. Additional leaves are also easily purchased ensuring that as a postcard collection grows matching pages for the album can also be added. Additionally annotations can be easily added by simple placing card into empty leaves next to the postcards.
As collections grow though it may not be cost effective, or space efficient, to buy albums for displaying postcards. Many people will therefore resort to storing their postcards in storage boxes, often old shoeboxes or similar, but also specially designed postcard storage boxes are available. This storage method often just result in postcards being put one next to each other, with the face and backs of the postcards facing each other. This though can damage postcards, and so it is always advisable to ensure that postcards are first put into paper envelopes to protect the cards from damage.
Collections should be on display, and the use of an album is a relatively simple way to display postcards, and takes up relatively little space. Although postcards will not be on continual display in this method it does ensure that postcards are protected from damage.
Happy Postcard Collecting.
Get Postcards from People All Around the World
There's a really neat idea out on the internet: a postcard exchange program. You sign up, get the address of someone in another country and send them a postcard. In return, you receive a postcard from someone else in another country.
The first step towards getting postcards from all around the world is to sign up for an account on the internet at PostCrossing. You'll be asked to fill out a username and personal information, including your address.
Once you've logged in on PostCrossing, add some interesting information to your user profile, such as a short bio. You can also upload a user picture.
In order to start receiving postcards from around the world, you must send out some postcards yourself (for every one you send, you should receive one). To do this, make sure you are logged in and go to "Send a Postcard" in the box on the left of the screen. Read over the information they tell you, select the box that says you've read the information, and then press "Get Address". You will be given the name and address of someone else in the world (most likely not in your own country) to whom you should send a postcard!
You will also be given an ID code to put on the postcard. Don't forget to write it on there! That is the number that the person you are mailing the postcard to will use to let the website know that they received your card. (You might or might not receive communication back from the person.)
Once your card has been received, wait on a card to come to your home! You can have as many as five postcards out at a time, which means you can receive five times as many postcards! (Save money and time by purchasing several cards at once to send out.)
Happy Postcard Collecting
The first step towards getting postcards from all around the world is to sign up for an account on the internet at PostCrossing. You'll be asked to fill out a username and personal information, including your address.
Once you've logged in on PostCrossing, add some interesting information to your user profile, such as a short bio. You can also upload a user picture.
In order to start receiving postcards from around the world, you must send out some postcards yourself (for every one you send, you should receive one). To do this, make sure you are logged in and go to "Send a Postcard" in the box on the left of the screen. Read over the information they tell you, select the box that says you've read the information, and then press "Get Address". You will be given the name and address of someone else in the world (most likely not in your own country) to whom you should send a postcard!
You will also be given an ID code to put on the postcard. Don't forget to write it on there! That is the number that the person you are mailing the postcard to will use to let the website know that they received your card. (You might or might not receive communication back from the person.)
Once your card has been received, wait on a card to come to your home! You can have as many as five postcards out at a time, which means you can receive five times as many postcards! (Save money and time by purchasing several cards at once to send out.)
Happy Postcard Collecting
Postcard Collector
You can call yourself a deltiologist - that's a postcard collector. They say it's the third largest collectible hobby in the world. Why? Postcards are inexpensive, cover thousands of subjects and have been around awhile. In fact, they date back to 1869. Got any that old?
Decide what kind of collection you want. Cats? Places you've been? Cards with foreign postmarks? World War II era? Foods?
Pick a theme and let your friends and family know about it. Because postcards are cheap and easy to find, you'll find it won't be long before you have an admirable collection.
Get serious about collecting and join a collector's club or hang out at antique stores and online auctions for those hard-to-locate ones.
Keep your cards in acid-free, archival-quality sleeves made of polyethylene or Mylar.
Avoid PVC and cheap plastic sleeves, which can leave marks or stick to your cards. Never store them loose in a plastic box.
Display your postcards out of direct sunlight. They can and will fade.
Happy Postcard Collecting
Decide what kind of collection you want. Cats? Places you've been? Cards with foreign postmarks? World War II era? Foods?
Pick a theme and let your friends and family know about it. Because postcards are cheap and easy to find, you'll find it won't be long before you have an admirable collection.
Get serious about collecting and join a collector's club or hang out at antique stores and online auctions for those hard-to-locate ones.
Keep your cards in acid-free, archival-quality sleeves made of polyethylene or Mylar.
Avoid PVC and cheap plastic sleeves, which can leave marks or stick to your cards. Never store them loose in a plastic box.
Display your postcards out of direct sunlight. They can and will fade.
Happy Postcard Collecting
Collecting vintage postcards
Collecting postcards, or Deltiology as it is known, is a fascinating and growing hobby. Many collectors are drawn in by one particular card that catches their eye, and then find many more categories of cards that intrigue them as they go along. One of the most popular categories is Halloween cards, and these are often the most prized by collectors. They can also be among the most expensive, with some cards selling for as much as three to four hundred dollars!
Some of the other very popular categories are Real Photo Postcards, (or RPPC as they are called); Artist Signed postcards; Fantasy; various Greetings (including the increasingly popular Santa subcategory); Transportation cards (rare railway and shipping line cards are often highly sought-after); and many others.
When buying cards it is important to remember that condition is extremely important. If a card is damaged or has gotten wet it isn't going to be worth much, regardless of image or type. Responsible dealers use a grading system to help potential buyers determine condition, ours is as follows:
• Mint - As new, postally unused, in a pristine state. Not normally applicable to vintage cards unless found in original printed packets.
• Near Mint - Like Mint, but very light aging or very slight discoloration from being in an album. Not as sharp or crisp as Mint.
• Excellent - No obvious flaws. Sharp corners, clean and if postally used, writing does not detract from appearance.
• Very Good - Minor defects such as album marks, signs of age and handling acceptable that do not detract from a visually pleasing card.
• Good - Noticeable defects, handing and wear apparent. Slight creasing and minor postal damage not detrimental to image acceptable in this category.
• Fair - Obvious creasing, staining, small tears or damp damage evident. Significant edge or corner damage. Just about in a collectible state.
• Poor - Incomplete, image seriously affected. A gap filler only!
Once you've been bitten by the collecting bug, you may decide to attend a postcard show, or join a club near you. There are several national societies that cater to those who collect ephemera, we encourage you to join one. You may find yourself prowling local antique malls, digging through local auctions, putting ads in the local shopper offering to buy cards from people's attics. And the next thing you know, you've got a number of albums or boxes filled with cards! Once bitten, there's no going back. Enjoy this great hobby, and if you have any questions or need help, be sure to drop us a line. See our shops on eBay at the links below where you can find all sorts of postcards of various types.
Happy Postcard Collecting
Some of the other very popular categories are Real Photo Postcards, (or RPPC as they are called); Artist Signed postcards; Fantasy; various Greetings (including the increasingly popular Santa subcategory); Transportation cards (rare railway and shipping line cards are often highly sought-after); and many others.
When buying cards it is important to remember that condition is extremely important. If a card is damaged or has gotten wet it isn't going to be worth much, regardless of image or type. Responsible dealers use a grading system to help potential buyers determine condition, ours is as follows:
• Mint - As new, postally unused, in a pristine state. Not normally applicable to vintage cards unless found in original printed packets.
• Near Mint - Like Mint, but very light aging or very slight discoloration from being in an album. Not as sharp or crisp as Mint.
• Excellent - No obvious flaws. Sharp corners, clean and if postally used, writing does not detract from appearance.
• Very Good - Minor defects such as album marks, signs of age and handling acceptable that do not detract from a visually pleasing card.
• Good - Noticeable defects, handing and wear apparent. Slight creasing and minor postal damage not detrimental to image acceptable in this category.
• Fair - Obvious creasing, staining, small tears or damp damage evident. Significant edge or corner damage. Just about in a collectible state.
• Poor - Incomplete, image seriously affected. A gap filler only!
Once you've been bitten by the collecting bug, you may decide to attend a postcard show, or join a club near you. There are several national societies that cater to those who collect ephemera, we encourage you to join one. You may find yourself prowling local antique malls, digging through local auctions, putting ads in the local shopper offering to buy cards from people's attics. And the next thing you know, you've got a number of albums or boxes filled with cards! Once bitten, there's no going back. Enjoy this great hobby, and if you have any questions or need help, be sure to drop us a line. See our shops on eBay at the links below where you can find all sorts of postcards of various types.
Happy Postcard Collecting
Enlarge Your Postcard Collection at an Auction
There are few collectors who don't get caught up in the excitement and anticipation of attending auctions, and postcard fanatics are no exception. With hundreds or even thousands of postcards available all in one place, collectors can add rare and vintage finds to their collections with relative ease and--hopefully--at a reasonable price. Once you attend your first postcard auction, you may be hooked.
Find out when the top houses are auctioning off vintage postcards. Large auctioneers have specific dates and times that they present postcards and other similar collections during the year. Most have websites with updated information on the various collections.
Pre-register for the auction once you have decided to attend. Most auction houses require specific documentation, including bank references, before you will be allowed to bid on merchandise. This information is usually requested at least 48 hours prior to the auction. You will also need to provide positive identification before you will be issued a bidding paddle that corresponds with the pre-registration information you provided.
Know what postcards you intend to bid on when you attend auctions. You'll want to secure a copy of the individual catalogues of the auction houses or view the collections on the Internet before arriving at the live auction. Most of the larger auction houses also offer a pre-auction viewing, where you will be able to take a closer look at the postcards without the pressure of having to make a bid.
Learn the auction protocol before the bidding starts. Most auction houses will present you with a numbered paddle after you have signed in, which you will use to inform the auctioneer of your bid.
Remember that your bid is usually not the full amount of payment due. Buyers must also pay applicable sales taxes and any shipping costs if such service is provided.
Make and stick to a budget. Once you have determined the amount of money that you are able to spend, do not go over that amount. Auctions are a bit like gambling, and some people get foolishly caught up in the frenzy and excitement.
Happy Postcard Collecting
Find out when the top houses are auctioning off vintage postcards. Large auctioneers have specific dates and times that they present postcards and other similar collections during the year. Most have websites with updated information on the various collections.
Pre-register for the auction once you have decided to attend. Most auction houses require specific documentation, including bank references, before you will be allowed to bid on merchandise. This information is usually requested at least 48 hours prior to the auction. You will also need to provide positive identification before you will be issued a bidding paddle that corresponds with the pre-registration information you provided.
Know what postcards you intend to bid on when you attend auctions. You'll want to secure a copy of the individual catalogues of the auction houses or view the collections on the Internet before arriving at the live auction. Most of the larger auction houses also offer a pre-auction viewing, where you will be able to take a closer look at the postcards without the pressure of having to make a bid.
Learn the auction protocol before the bidding starts. Most auction houses will present you with a numbered paddle after you have signed in, which you will use to inform the auctioneer of your bid.
Remember that your bid is usually not the full amount of payment due. Buyers must also pay applicable sales taxes and any shipping costs if such service is provided.
Make and stick to a budget. Once you have determined the amount of money that you are able to spend, do not go over that amount. Auctions are a bit like gambling, and some people get foolishly caught up in the frenzy and excitement.
Happy Postcard Collecting
Buy Rare Postcards
Although the majority of postcards are relatively inexpensive, every now and then the passionate collector will find herself in a position to indulge in the purchase of a rare postcard. These postcards may be vintage (old) or limited in number, but they are usually extremely collectible and, therefore, competitively priced. Since some rare cards can top the thousand-dollar mark, it is wise to know what to expect during the buying process.
Take the time to research the postcard and decide if it is worth the price being asked. You can easily get caught up in the excitement of finding a gem, but you may be sorry later when your shopping high has passed. Remember that there will always be another postcard.
Investigate online auctions as a way to find rare cards. You are not limited to your city, state or even country when you shop online, and you can shop safely from the comfort of your own home. You will, however, have to bid against other aficionados who want the same postcards as you, which can result in higher prices than you might find at a shop.
Attend an auction in person. Many collectors prefer these to online auctions, since they can see the actual postcards before buying them. Remember that you must add any applicable state sales tax and delivery charges to your bid when you buy at a brick-and-mortar auction.
Visit a professional broker who deals in postcard sales. (Stamp dealers often sell postcards, as well.) This is an especially good idea if you have particular postcards in mind. A broker may have connections that can assist you in locating the desired card.
Join a postcard collectors' group. Many groups have meetings and shows that allow members to buy, sell and trade their cards to each other. This is an enjoyable option, since you will buy from people whom you know and trust in a social situation. Just keep in mind that it is still a business transaction.
Always buy the best that you can afford.
Happy Postcard Collecting.
Take the time to research the postcard and decide if it is worth the price being asked. You can easily get caught up in the excitement of finding a gem, but you may be sorry later when your shopping high has passed. Remember that there will always be another postcard.
Investigate online auctions as a way to find rare cards. You are not limited to your city, state or even country when you shop online, and you can shop safely from the comfort of your own home. You will, however, have to bid against other aficionados who want the same postcards as you, which can result in higher prices than you might find at a shop.
Attend an auction in person. Many collectors prefer these to online auctions, since they can see the actual postcards before buying them. Remember that you must add any applicable state sales tax and delivery charges to your bid when you buy at a brick-and-mortar auction.
Visit a professional broker who deals in postcard sales. (Stamp dealers often sell postcards, as well.) This is an especially good idea if you have particular postcards in mind. A broker may have connections that can assist you in locating the desired card.
Join a postcard collectors' group. Many groups have meetings and shows that allow members to buy, sell and trade their cards to each other. This is an enjoyable option, since you will buy from people whom you know and trust in a social situation. Just keep in mind that it is still a business transaction.
Always buy the best that you can afford.
Happy Postcard Collecting.
Trade Postcards - Trade Up to a Better Collection
One of the most interesting aspects of postcard collecting is the chance to trade postcards with other collectors in a private group or at postcard shows. Since there are literally millions of different postcards available from across the country and around the world, trading gives you the opportunity to add some spice to your collection by letting go of some of your beloved cards in order to add new ones from the collection of another postcard lover.
Determine the value of your collection before you begin to trade with others. There is nothing worse than finding out you have traded away a rare card in exchange for one that is worth significantly less.
Keep your collection in tip-top form by using archival storage holders (those that prevent acidic damage to your postcards). You should also protect your cards from excessive creasing and bent corners, which will reduce their value. You improve your trading position when your cards are in prime condition.
Organize your postcards systematically so that you can easily access them by subject matter, or color and size. The easier the cards are to get to, the smoother and more efficient your trading experience will be.
Don't be badgered into trading away a favorite card by a pushy trader. If you know that you don't want to part with a card, don't even present it to others, unless trading is not in issue.
List postcards you are interested in acquiring or trading away on Internet postcard trading pages. This greatly enlarges your target audience--but it also increases the likelihood that you may meet people who are not honest. Use great caution when transacting business outside of a monitored environment.
Catalogue the postcards that you are taking with you to a trading event by taking quick digital pictures of the cards. This gives you a record of what you left with and what you should return with after the event--unless, of course, you are able to make a successful trade or two!
Determine the value of your collection before you begin to trade with others. There is nothing worse than finding out you have traded away a rare card in exchange for one that is worth significantly less.
Keep your collection in tip-top form by using archival storage holders (those that prevent acidic damage to your postcards). You should also protect your cards from excessive creasing and bent corners, which will reduce their value. You improve your trading position when your cards are in prime condition.
Organize your postcards systematically so that you can easily access them by subject matter, or color and size. The easier the cards are to get to, the smoother and more efficient your trading experience will be.
Don't be badgered into trading away a favorite card by a pushy trader. If you know that you don't want to part with a card, don't even present it to others, unless trading is not in issue.
List postcards you are interested in acquiring or trading away on Internet postcard trading pages. This greatly enlarges your target audience--but it also increases the likelihood that you may meet people who are not honest. Use great caution when transacting business outside of a monitored environment.
Catalogue the postcards that you are taking with you to a trading event by taking quick digital pictures of the cards. This gives you a record of what you left with and what you should return with after the event--unless, of course, you are able to make a successful trade or two!
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