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Visit My eBay StoreCollecting Vintage Holidays and Greetings Postcards can be fun and rewarding. The antique cards are beautiful and historical. Postcard collecting, is currently the third largest collectable hobby in the world. There are many things to look for when collecting Postcards.
Many of our valued customers email us about how they can start collecting Antique and Vintage Holidays and Greeting Postcards.
Here is a Starter Book List
Picture Postcards in the United States-by Dorothy Ryan-excellent
The Artist-Signed Postcard Price Guide- A Comprehensive Reference
by J. L. Mashburn
Postcard Companion-Jack.H. Smith
Encyclopedia of Antique Postcards-Susan Brown Nicholson
Standard Postcard Catalog-James Lewis Lowe
The Collector's Guide to Postcards-Jane Wood
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When buying or selling postcards, everyone wants to know the condition of the postcard.
This rating system is used for older or antique postcards.
M - Mint : A perfect card just as it comes from the printing press. No marks, bends, or creases. No writing or postmarks. A clean and fresh card. Seldom seen.
NM - Near Mint : Like Mint but very light aging or very slight discoloration from being in an album for many years. Not as sharp or crisp.
EX - Excellent : Like mint in appearance with no bends or creases, or rounded or blunt corners. May be postally used or unused and with writing and postmark only on the address side. A clean, fresh card on the picture side.
VG - Very Good : Corners may be a bit blunt or rounded. Almost undetectable crease or bend that does not detract from overall appearance of the picture side. May have writing or postally used on address side.
G - Good : Corners may be noticeably blunt or rounded with noticeably slight bends or creases. May be postally used or have writing on the address side.
FR - Fair : Card is intact. Excess soil, stains, creases, writing, or cancellation may affect picture. Could be a scarce card that is difficult to find in any condition.
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AUCTION ABBREVIATIONS
DB-Divided Back 1907-1915
WB-White Border 1916-1930
L-Linen era 1930-1945
C-Chromes 1945 to 1970s
Cont. sz - 4"x6" chromes 1970s up
b/w-black and white
cof-cancel on face
crs-crease
cnr-corner
emb-embossed
lt-light
m/t-margin tear
o/w-otherwise
p/ or pub - publisher
pm-postmarked
RP-Real Photo
s/ or sgn - artist signed
s/m-stamp missing
u-used
unu-unused
wob-writing on back
wof-writing on face
a number within parenthesis indicates quantity of cards in lot.
by Robert Reed, Claudette Reed
The Postcard Price Guide-J.L. Mashburn (he has several books)