Deltiology is the official term for collecting (and studying) postcards. As the third most popular hobby after the collection of stamps and coins, collecting postcards can become a very rewarding pastime, as vast or as restricted according to your needs. In addition, it is possible to indulge in it anywhere in the world. Even Queen Victoria is said to have owned a personal collection of postcards, so it is certainly a prestige hobby that has been done for a long time.
If you are planning to do something with the postcards you have in a drawer or are wondering whether or not they are worth buying every time you travel or visit a place, maybe deltiology will open the doors to a new world of collecting.
Steps
Step 1. Decide on your approach to post card collecting
The scope of these items is so wide that it's probably a good idea to develop your focus on them early to avoid having boxes full of unsorted postcards and not knowing what to do with all of them. Postcards can be collected in a variety of ways, but some of the most common approaches are as follows:
- Postcards of a certain artist.
- Postcards of a particular destination or country.
- Postcards that recall a certain era.
- Postcards that feature a certain theme, such as a specific animal (such as cats or wild animals), structures (such as tall buildings or bridges), wonders of nature (such as waterfalls or canyons), household items (such as teapots), paintings from the collections kept in museums, means of transport (such as trains, trams or planes), scenes from the beaches, Valentine's Day, Christmas, Star Trek and so on. The possibilities are endless.
- Postcards that are humorous, sassy (or pushy) or featuring cartoon characters.
Step 2. If you have a specific interest, consider collecting postcards related to it
For example, if you love horses, then postcards of this type will always fascinate you. All kinds of interests (such as ballet, rugby, board games, airplane sighting, museums, dinosaurs, weapons, food, alcohol, etc.) are painted from the postcards in a one way or the other. This can add a very interesting dimension to the collection, in order to show your love for another hobby in a unique way.
Some people only collect postcards when they travel. Given the excellent photos professional photographers can take of the places you visit, buying postcards can be a good way to make sure you have at least a really good picture of the place you've been staying! It is also helpful to purchase postcards that depict different seasons or climates, not just what you are experiencing during your stay
Step 3. Study the general epochs of postcards
While it is incredibly difficult to date many postcards because anyone can print them anywhere and that's precisely how things have always been, there are a few factors that can help you determine the era of postcards.
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1898-1919; this period is known as the Golden Age of Postcards, during which they were particularly popular.
- 1901-1906; the backs of the picture postcards were not divided.
- 1907-1915; the back of the picture postcards was subdivided in the USA (in most other countries the back had begun to be subdivided a few years ago; for example, in Canada this style became popular starting in 1903).
- 1915-1930; white-bordered postcards were common.
- 1930-1950; linen collectible postcards.
- The postcards circulated from 1940 onwards were produced in a modern way, that is, they used color images, no longer relied on photochromia to generate black and white photos that characterized the early specimens; the first color postcards produced in a modern way are dated between the 1940s and 1960s.
- Since postcards are shipped within a few years of production, the postmark can be an indicator. On the other hand, everyone has seen dusty old postcards that have been left on sale for years in some stores and nothing can stop a person from sending a very old postcard 50 or 100 years later if they like it, so the postmark is not. always is a valid indicator!
- If the postcard features a city, street, or other sight that can be linked to photos from a certain era, this can help date it.
Step 4. Learn the terminology and the most important aspects of collecting
Once you start collecting postcards seriously enough, you will find that there are a few things to consider. As an amateur who wants to have fun indulging in his hobby, just be aware of the traits that characterize a collector in the beginning. Next, you may want to direct your attention more towards quality indicators to make sure you have a great collection of postcards or maybe you want to show them off at a special event or sell them for a good price. Important variables to keep in mind when collecting something out of paper, such as postcards, include the condition, the era and any interesting factors affecting these pieces, such as the year of printing, the artist / photographer, the image., sometimes the person who printed them and the rarity of postcards. Other elements that might be noteworthy include the author of the postcard, the content of the text, the address, the postmark, and any other factors that make it unique, such as a post office stamp indicating the postcard as "Prohibited / censored" due to censorship or war, etc. Any one of these conditions alone could make a particular postcard very special, and one of these factors could even form the basis of your collection. For example, you may want to collect postcards of famous people, of women of a certain era, postcards that have never been sent and that are in perfect condition. Speaking of condition, postcards are classified as follows (the first three ratings are for collectors who are serious about collecting vintage postcards).
- Brand New: This means the vintage postcard looks as though it is fresh off the press. There can be no pen marks, postmarks, creases, wrinkles or other imperfections for its condition to be considered of this type. It should be stored in acid-free archival folders and kept safe from being bent.
- Almost brand new: it is almost like the one just described, except for a minor defect, such as a little yellowing on the corners. There can't be many imperfections anyway or the postcard will be judged otherwise. This type of postcard should also be stored in acid-free archival covers for long-term protection.
- Excellent: This is a vintage postcard in excellent condition, so it has no tears or worn parts. It may have been marked by a postmark or writing, provided that the postcard itself is still in perfect condition. As with postcards in better condition, this should also be kept in acid-free archival covers.
- Very good: a postcard of this type has often been mailed and marked with a postmark or writing, but it has very few signs of wear and you absolutely must be proud of it if it is in your collection.
- Good: at this point, the postcard appears lived-in and shows signs that indicate its path. It may have bent corners or various creases in the center or sides, faded colors, etc. It's unlikely to be worth much, unless it's particularly unusual, rare, or written by a famous person.
- Acceptable or poor: this category includes all the other postcards, that is, those dirty, old-looking, folded, broken, wrinkled or characterized by other states that value them little. The reason to keep them? It depends in particular on their sentimental value or maybe they complete a collection, you like them for the beauty of the image and so on. But don't expect to make a fortune if you ever sell them! Nonetheless, a rare postcard or one with a large content can be worth a considerable sum despite being damaged and, in some cases, certain forms of wear and tear could even add an aesthetic touch to the piece (the moral is that you should collect what you like without worrying of the fact that it is not expensive).
Step 5. Spend some time researching the value of each postcard
You'd make good use of your time if you searched for postcards for sale on auction sites like eBay. Doing so will give you an idea of what's available on the market, make you understand how much each postcard is worth from a monetary standpoint, and what prices you should expect. However, at this point, don't let yourself be pestered by value alone, or you won't develop your own style and taste. Instead, for now, focus on buying what you like, perhaps based on a particular theme. Once you feel more confident that this is the hobby for you and that you want to spend more money on cultivating it, then you can take it more seriously to spend money for the purpose of buying particular types of postcards. Until then, just enjoy the thrill of adding new pieces to your collection, but at very low prices!
Step 6. Understand the difference between a postcard that features a real photo and a normal postcard
Postcards with real photos were popular in the Golden Age (less so later). They are usually black and white and look like photographs, because that's what they are. Unlike most early postcards, which were lithographs, postcards containing real photos were developed directly on special cards featuring a certain back. Lithographed postcards, on the other hand, were usually made with photographs, but were mechanically printed on the press. You can see the difference by looking at the image closely: if it is a lithographed postcard, the image will be made up of dots (like a photograph in a newspaper), while the ink of a real photo has a compact finish. Postcards featuring real photographs were usually produced in very small quantities, because they had to be developed one by one in the darkroom. Often they were family or local event photos produced by a local photographer for immediate sale. On average, a postcard with a real photo will be more expensive than a lithographed one, typically 5-10 times more. So, when you see postcards from your city on sale for € 1-5 and others that cost € 10-50, the difference in price probably depends on the fact that the first are lithographed and the second photos are real.
Step 7. Find some postcards
The places to do this are many and varied, but the sources will be determined by how you've narrowed your collection criteria. For example, if you don't care about the era, quality or provenance of the postcard, you'll find pieces literally everywhere you go, from newsstands on the street to your grandmother's attic. This gets trickier when you narrow down your interests and search for more dated and antique postcards, but there are still plenty of places to find them. In particular, they could be found in the following places:
- Stores that sell magazines, newspapers, stationery, candy, etc. They often offer modern and current postcards. These are usually souvenirs targeting tourists, but you never know what you might find, so be sure to search wherever you go.
- Take a look at the truck drivers' eateries, gas stations, department stores, souvenir shops, motel entrances, in short, any place that is heavily visited by tourists. Any place associated with tourism, travelers, travel, etc. it will probably have modern and current postcards.
- Many museums, art galleries, zoos, national parks, theme parks, science centers, aquariums, space observatories and other exhibition, learning and entertainment areas often offer modern and current postcards.
- Search online to find a wide variety of both new and old postcards. Auction sites, those that sell antiques, and those that sell postcards will provide you with a wide range of choices.
- Visit a Postcard Fair, where you will find nothing but postcards!
- Visit antique stores, flea markets, second hand sales, secondhand book stores, and other similar outlets to find older postcards. Auction houses might sell them too, and if you want someone's collection, an auction house or a vintage collectible auction is a good place to start.
- Ask your family members for old and unwanted postcards and look for them in the boxes of paper materials stored in the attic to see if anyone, over the years, has collected the postcards received or collected them during their travels.
- Ask someone you know who travels often or who will go on vacation to send you at least one postcard in the mail. This can be a nice way to jealously preserve not only his words, but the postcard itself as well.
- If you are an amateur collector, buying packs of postcards can be a lot of fun. You never know what you might find in such a mix, but it will be exciting to rummage through the pieces and you may have more creative ideas about how to set up your collection.
Step 8. Know what to consider when buying postcards
It is easier to check the condition of a postcard in a store than online, although it is likely that many of your purchases will be on the internet. In this case, be sure to look at the photos as accurately as possible to define the condition of the pieces before buying them. If you can't quite understand the conditions or the description is very poor, don't buy it or only do it if it's exceptionally cheap. Some of the things to keep in mind when shopping for postcards include:
- Cleaning the postcard. It is not about whether it was written or not, but you have to take into account stains, marks, dirt and grease that accumulate on old paper items over time. Look for postcards that are clean and free of dirt if possible. You won't always be able to, but it's worth aiming high when you have the opportunity.
- Edges. Try to find postcards that have even, unfolded edges, that haven't been frayed, and that don't have ears.
- Content. It is always preferable that you can actually read what was written on the postcard in case it has text. This makes the purchase much more satisfying and gives a taste of the story behind the piece.
- Signs. This particularly refers to the postmark. The more readable it is, the more valuable the postcard has, and if it has a date and location that you can read, you have the opportunity to know a lot about the piece.
- Things to avoid: moldy postcards (it will never be possible to return them to their original state), really battered postcards, unless they have sentimental value or a certain content that prompts you to buy them, postcards stained with grease or with signs indicating the passage of time (these factors negatively affect the general appearance of the pieces), stains such as blood, dirt or water, too many folds or wrinkles, tears, etc. If the postcard is tattered, the only reason to buy it that defines its value depends on its rarity, its writing or whether you are in love with it (but forget it if it has mold).
Step 9. Display postcards and store them properly
The way you store these pieces is important to safeguard their quality despite the passing of the years. For truly antique and valuable postcards, put them in acid-free archival binders, available at home improvement stores, retail postage stamps and postcards, or buy them online. They will prevent postcards from being ruined by dust, dirt, smudges and the paper will be kept safe from acidity. Keep postcards stored flat and in a place where they cannot be torn, folded or wrinkled. Make sure the environment is dry and cool, not humid and that there is no possibility of insect damage. If you have children (and / or pets), keep postcards out of their reach. Above all, find a solution to easily admire them, so you can savor your collection of postcards whenever you want. Here are some ideas:
- Scrapbooks, also called scrapbooks, are great for creating themed collections and can be the perfect medium to protect, display and explain your postcard collection. In fact, since the Victorian era, postcards have been kept in albums, so this will be a way to continue with a beautiful ancient tradition.
- Another great way to keep track of your postcard collection is to take digital photos and post them by creating an online collection for everyone to see. It will help you know how many postcards you have and many other people will be able to see your collection too!
Step 10. Keep informing yourself about postcards
This article was written with the intention of helping those who are just starting out with the hobby or are sentimental collectors to start perfecting choices, organizing the collection and learning the basics. They should then devote themselves to a deeper knowledge by talking to other collectors and reading many texts concerning the field of deltiology and collecting in general.
Advice
- Many people have postcards stacked "somewhere"; take a good look at your stuff when you start!
- Consider choosing postcards that show how the city and area you live in has changed over the past 100 years or so. These postcards can be both nostalgic and historically informative. They are also great conversation topics to pull out when planning a dinner; people love to see how their place has changed over time.
- Literally billions of postcards were produced and shipped during the Golden Age, including millions of postcards of different types. For this reason, even a postcard expert will not always recognize the value of certain pieces. If you are familiar with an area or subject (be it a geographic area or a theme depicted on postcards), you will often be able to find some underrated pieces. This distinguishes postcard collecting from other forms of collecting, for example stamps or sports cards, in which practically all existing copies are known, cataloged and priced.
- Popular post card artists include Beaulieu, F. Earle Christie, D. McGill, and Lucy Atwell. The names will vary based on which culture you are referring to and which era you choose, but it never hurts to start with artists or photographers who appeal to you the most.
- Festive postcards depicting Santa and Halloween are popular. However, due to the sheer amount of other holiday postcards, few of these themes have a very high value. Either way, they're great to keep for sentimental reasons.
- Postcard sets that demonstrate how an entire scene evolves, such as a street theme, circus or amusement park, can be worth a lot of money if in good condition.
- If you are interested in receiving postcards in the mail (one way to start your collection), try postcrossing.com. Opening an account is free and you can send and receive postcards from all over the world.
- There are many post card clubs. Consider joining one. Since post card collectors tend to collect different types of pieces, this kind of collecting is a particularly friendly and non-competitive hobby. Once other collectors know your interests, they'll let you know if they find postcards that suit you.
Warnings
- When buying high priced postcards, make sure you know their quality and true value. You must always keep the resale price in mind in case you want to offer a valuable collection at some point.
- Deterioration caused by light and insects can be a real problem for paper products. Be sure to prevent both of these types of damage.
- Don't assume that postcards are rare just because they depict an unusual or forgotten event. For example, postcards of natural disasters and burning buildings were sold very successfully during the Golden Age - make sure you don't pay large sums of money until you have enough experience to know that the event shown was not the subject of hundreds. of different postcards (this was often the case).
