Postcards That Are Worth A Pretty Penny



The only way to keep up with the latest about "post cards" is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about "post cards", it won't take long for you to become an influential authority.

While the vast majority of all postcards made are not very valuable some are considered to be rare and desirable by collectors and these can be worth quite a bit of money.

For rare examples prices can go into the low thousands of dollars and it is certainly not all that uncommon to find a $50 postcard hiding in a pile of ordinary cards. Combing through 175 cards it would not be surprising to find one or two that are worth $5 to $10 or even more.

The classic postcard era was from 1898 to 1918 and the cards that fall in this time frame are the most collectible to collectors as a rule. It is usually the topic or the image or the artist who created the image that establishes its value. Serious postcard collectors are interested in a wide variety of subjects.

Holiday cards are very popular. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, Easter and Valentine's Day postcards are rather common, but cards sent for Halloween, Labor Day, and Ground Hog Day aren't. Halloween cards are particularly popular right now and some of the most desired ones were created by artist Ellen Clapsaddle. Three of her mechanical Halloween cards with moving parts sold for a little less than $1,500. Artist-signed cards are another focus of strong collector interest.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

Pieces signed by Rose O'Neil (particularly her Kewpie cards), Philip Boileau, Arpad Basch (in the Art Nouveau style), Grace Drayton, Raphael Kirchner, Alphonse Mucha (look for his card advertising "Waverly Cycles"), Louis Wain (cats and paper dolls) and Florence Upton, to name just a few, are extremely popular.

We said earlier that Christmas cards were common but there are certain types of Christmas cards that are valuable. There are vast quantities featuring a white Santa Claus in a red suit but find a Santa in a different color of suit or come across a black Santa and you have something of a treasure. Find one in purple robes and the value might shoot up to around $200. One in blue robes trimmed in brown fur and the value can top $400. Postcard collectors look for what they call hold-to-light cards which have elements such as windows and fireplaces that seem to light up when the back of the card is held to a light. A New Year's hold-to-light card might be worth between $75 and $100 while a regular New Year's card might be worth very little.

Other cards to look for include the real photo cards of small towns or actual events. These can be rather expensive because there may have been only a few specimens of each view printed. Real photo cards that collectors find interesting can go up to the $5,000 dollars and such images as golfers playing a famous course can bring $350 or more.
To be valuable, postcards must be in good condition with no creases or folds. They should not have corners that are dog eared. Fronts that are not written on is the best (backs are ok) and no discoloration. Keep hunting for your treasured postcard and who's to say yours won't be worth a pretty penny.



That's the latest from the "post cards" authorities. Once you're familiar with these ideas, you'll be ready to move to the next level.


by Floyd Dorrance - Article Portal

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My Articles

British Seaside Postcards
New Year's Day Postcards
The History Of Easter Postcards
Picture Postcard Fascination
Design Your Own Postcard
History Of Postcards... Early Era
Sought After Postcards
Prospecting With Postcards
Unique Postcard Designs
What Makes A Postcard Valuable?
Postcards And Genealogy
History Description Of Vintage Postcards
Postcards That Are Worth A Pretty Penny
Postcards And Memories Of Traveling The USA
Why Use A Postcard
Early 4th Of July Postcards
Wooden Postcards And Other Vintage Designs
Being Part Of A Postcard Club
Postcards From The Past
Chrome Era -- 1939 To Present
Value Of Real Photo Postcards
How To Keep Your Cards
History Of Postcards-Middle Era
History Of Erotic Postcards






The only way to keep up with the latest about "post cards" is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about "post cards", it won't take long for you to become an influential authority.

My Articles


Chrome Era -- 1939 To Present In 1939 the Union Oil Co. of California began publishing postcard..


Postcards That Are Worth A Pretty Penny While the vast majority of all postcards made are not very..


Being Part Of A Postcard Club With postcard collecting there is usually not a lot of socializing..


Value Of Real Photo Postcards Advanced collectors of topographical views tend to eventually find themselves..



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