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What Makes Postcards Collectible?

Austria issued the world's first postcard on October 1, 1869. Today, postcards are collectible because of their charm, beauty and nostalgic associations. Elements that factor into the desirability of a postcard include universal appeal, diversity, scarcity and the print quality.

Condition
- Postcards in excellent condition are the most desirable. According to "The Postcard Price Guide," dirty, creased or worn postcards are valued mostly as placeholders in a collection until more desirable postcards with no defects come along.
Themes And Collections
- Collectors avidly seek vintage Santa Claus, children, Halloween and postcards in a series. Highly desirable postcards also include collections built around themes, such as hometowns, African-American memorabilia, World War I, colleges and transportation. Libraries seek historic postcard collections.
Historical Connection
- Vintage postcards captured scenes of family and town life, industrial progress and disasters. Collectors appreciate this connection to history and culture, according to a 2009 workshop at Brigham Young University presented by archivist and private postcard collector Jay Burrup.
Artist's Signature
- Postcards that bear the initials or signature of the original artist are highly collectible. Highly sought-after works include those by Philip Boileau and Raphael Tuck.

Postcard Collecting