This article was modeled after a presentation and discussion about the hobby delivered to a random
group of residents at the SRG Carlisle Residence for Seniors in Lantana, FL on
February 11, 2009
THE
POSTCARD COLLECTING HOBBY
Size of The Hobby
There are probably 500,000 Postcard Collectors
in the United States today. The hobby is far behind Stamp Collecting, about the
size of Coin Collecting, but well ahead of Postal History Collecting in terms
of participation.
Collectors
We have 4 groups of Collectors in Deltiology
(Postcard Collecting) including:
CASUAL and/or BEGINNING Collectors(60%) who save cards they receive, and have a minimal to
beginning interest in expanding their collection
SERIOUS Collectors (35%) who actively collect,
search, research and purchase cards of their choosing.
ADVANCED Collectors and Dealers (4%) who participate in a wide variety of postcard
activities and devote a minimum of 5 hours per week to their postcard hobby.
INVESTOR Collectors (1%) who collect primarily for financial gain.
WHAT
DO PEOPLE COLLECT?
VIEWS TOPICS FOREIGN
Village, Town, approx 500 approx 250
City, County in different topics foreign 50 States countries
DIFFERENT POSTCARD STYLES
1861 The U.S. Congress
authorizes privately printed cards
1869 First official postal card is issued by the Austrian
Government
1870 Lipman Postcard becomes the first privately authorized US card
1873 The United States issues its first official Postal Card.
1874 The Universal Postal Union sets postcard size of 3
1/2 by 5 ½”
1889 The first known color
postcard is printed in Austria.
1893 Exposition Postcards are
issued on a large scale for the Chicago’s Columbian Exposition.
1898-1901 The U.S. Congress authorizes use of the Private Mailing Card
1899 The first Real Photo Postcard is sent
through the U.S. mail.
1901 New postal regulations end restrictions of Private
Mailing Cards
1907 The United States issues
its first Divided Back Postcard
1920-1928 Publishers
begin producing cards with a White Border
1931 Curt Teich publishes
postcards on Linen textured stock
1939 The first Chrome card (Photochrome)
is published.
1970 Continental sized
cards (4x6”) become popular in the US
1995 Free Rack Card is introduced
Click here for greater details
POSTCARD
CONDITION
MINT if it
is new, pristine, and not mailed.
EXCELLENT if it has sharp corners, is clean, and has no
flaws
VERY GOOD if it has some minor defect(s)
GOOD if it has noticeable defect(s)
FAIR if it has obvious creases, stains, small tears etc.
POOR if it has a missing piece, holes punched, etc. Click
here for greater details
POSTCARD
STORAGE
Sleeves: There are 5 different types a. The least expensive is the 2 mil polyethylene
plastic;
b. Next is
the 2 mil polypropylene plastic (crystal
clear);
c. Then we
have the 4 or mil polypropylene plastic (double thick plastic);
d. Next is
the Semi-Rigid 5 mil plastic holder; e. Finally,
the most expensive, the 10 - 16 mil heavyweight hard plastic holder.
Click here for greater details
POSTCARD CLUBS
There are approximately 75 Postcards Clubs
scattered across the US. Click here for details
POSTCARD SHOWS
There are numerous
postcard show held throughout the United States sponsored by postcard clubs and
other show promoters. Click here for details
OTHER
RESOURCES
The best resource
for the collector is on the internet at thepostcardweb.com
Also consider
viewing or buying books, articles, checklists, and collections.
To Buy postcards try flea markets, antique
shops and malls, postcard dealers, friends, and fellow collectors