Stamps and Postcard Prints: A Resource Guide
Collecting stamps and postcard prints go hand in hand for many collectors. A valued stamp might come on an antique postcard, or a valuable old postcard might also have a stamp of historical interest (and monetary value) attached to it. Stamp collecting has been a popular pastime around the world since the latter part of the 19th century. The growth and standardization of postal services around the world meant a never-ending supply of stamps. It was also during the 19th century that postcards (also known as postal cards or stamp cards) were introduced. The first postcard in America was introduced in 1861 by John P. Carlton. A company located in Philadelphia, H.L. Lipman, bought the copyright from Carlton and introduced mass-market postcards. Eventually, postcards, like stamps, became known as small works of art.
Postcards
Instagram of the 19th Century: The First German Postcard
A bookseller who lived in modern-day Germany sent what most historians consider to be the first-ever postcard. His name was August Schwartz, and he mailed the postcard to a relative in 1870.
Postcards have long been used as a way to commemorate vacations and visits to special places. That tradition continues today.
The invention of the printing press during the 15th century led to the first postcard being produced in the 18th century. Other important times in the history of postcards include the 1890s, when photographs were printed on postcards for the first time.
A History of Picture Postcards
During World War I, thicker white borders were used on picture postcards. In part, this was done to save ink.
The history of postcards is entwined with the history of postage stamps. It is also divided into eras like the linen card era and the early modern era.
The U.S. Postal Service explains the difference between postal cards, stamped cards, and post cards. They also delve into the history of postcards and their official Postal Service counterparts.
Postcards are important historical and artistic artifacts. However, they are also important personal artifacts and can reveal a lot about the person who sent them and the person who received them.
Greetings From the Smithsonian: A Postcard History
Postcards of popular tourist destinations, such as the Smithsonian, can be used as a history of that specific place. The Smithsonian first appeared on a postcard during the late 19th century.
How Linen Postcards Transformed the Depression Era Into a Hyperreal Dreamland
From 1931 to 1950, linen postcards with hyper-realistic images were among the most popular postcards available. The photographs displayed on these postcards were often highly manipulated.
French postcards were curated to create this digital gallery. Visitors will see how postcards were used as items of propaganda and how they evolved over time.
Greetings From Vacationland: World's Fairs
People considered visiting a World's Fair a once-in-a-lifetime event. Those visitors purchased postcards, and these keepsakes became some of the most enduring images of these events.
Vintage Postcards From the Early 1900s
Holiday and photo view cards are two popular types of postcards that interest collectors. However, be aware that reproductions do exist.
Give Chrome Postcards Some Respect
Chrome postcards are named after Eastman-Kodak's Kodachrome. They are not highly popular with collectors but are very much a product of their time.
How to Start a Postcard Collection
Those who study postcards are known as deltiologists, and many have a single focus for their collections. These focuses can include postcards from a certain era, postcards made using a certain method of production, or postcards from a specific place.
The Chicago Postcard Museum suggests looking at details like if the back of the card has a dividing line and if the words "Private Mailing Card, Authorized by Act of Congress on May 19, 1898" are printed on the card as ways to date when a postcard was produced.
Tips for Determining When a U.S. Postcard Was Published
The style of the card itself, how much postage the card recommends, the sort of paper used, and even the clothes of any people depicted on the card are just some of the clues that can help with accurately dating picture postcards.
Establishing the age and condition of the card are the first steps when placing a monetary value on an older postcard. It's also important to consider the value of any stamp on the card.
Postcards: Family History and Archival Care
Postcards hold value to genealogists and family historians as a record of where their family members visited, their notes about their travels, and what their ancestors thought were important enough to keep.
Stamps
Getting Started With Stamp Collecting
The American Philatelic Society created this extensive resource for stamp-collecting beginners. Topics covered include why people collect stamps and what you should know before you begin.
Eight Things to Consider When Collecting Stamps
These eight questions, which range from what stamps might be of interest to a new collector to deciding if special insurance is needed for the collection, will help people new to philately decide what sort of collector they are interested in being.
The Origin of Stamp Collecting in the United States
The oldest known stamp collection in the world dates back to the 18th century and resides in Dublin, Ireland. The first stamp collected in America was printed in 1853.
The Best Way to Organize a Stamp Collection
Once a person starts collecting, they have options as to how they choose to organize and display their burgeoning collection. Modern stamp collectors often choose to use software to track the development of their collection.
Why You Need Stockbooks to Organize Your Postage Stamp Collections
Stockbooks are essentially loose-leaf albums. Since they are more flexible than bound albums, it's easier for collectors to rearrange their collections.
How to Remove Stamps From Envelopes
The Canadian postal service lists the steps to safely soak a stamp off of an envelope. These steps include cutting the stamp off of the envelope before soaking it in cold water.
How to Save Old Stamps and Their Envelopes
Not all collectors remove stamps, especially older ones, from their original envelopes. Collectors who combine their interest in stamps with an interest in genealogy find a lot of information and value in the handwriting on the envelope along with the postmark.
Younger generations aren't collecting stamps with the same fervor as prior generations. As these older collectors die, their collections hit the market, and there are concerns that the value of stamps is dropping because of this.
In the Digital Age, Stamp Collecting Still Makes a Mark
The centennial celebration of the founding of the American Stamp Dealers' Association was held in 2014. Although the types of stamps issued have changed over the years, stamp collecting continues even as the amount of mail sent in the country falls.
Fun With Stamps: How to Start a Stamp-Collecting Club for Kids
Stamp-collecting can be a great hobby for kids, especially when they get their friends involved, too.
Music icon John Lennon was a passionate stamp collector. His collection currently resides at the Smithsonian.
The Royal Philatelic Collection
Members of the British royal family have collected stamps for generations. Prince Alfred, the son of Queen Victoria, was the first royal to take up the hobby.
Postal Pilgrammages: Ten Great Places to Visit for Stamp-Lovers
From the smallest post office in the United States, which is located in Florida, to the Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., there are a variety of interesting places collectors would enjoy visiting!
