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  • Guide to Buying Vintage Holidays and Greeting Postcards

    2:02 PM PST, 6/22/2007

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    ~SANTA CLAUS in Workshop with Toys~Pipe~List~Antique Christmas Postcard~b214

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    Collecting 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

    Und/B-Undivided Back 1901-1907
    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.

    Fantasy Postcards With Price Guide, A Comprehensive Reference by J.L.Mashburn
     
    Vintage Postcards for the Holidays- Identification & Value Guide
    by Robert Reed, Claudette Reed
    American Postcard Guide to Tuck by Sally Carver
    Postmarked Yesteryear- Art of the Holiday Postcard  by Pamela E. Apkarian-Russell

    The Postcard Price Guide-J.L. Mashburn (he has several books)
    The Postcard Price Guide by J. L. Mashburn