For many 20th century Americans there was nothing more exciting than opening the mailbox to find a postcard from a loved one who was traveling abroad, on vacation, or simply living in another city. The postcard, a simple piece of thick paper that could be dropped in the mailbox for less money than a standard enveloped letter, became synonymous with travel. But why? What was it about these cards that had folks buying them in every city they visited. What started as a way of communicating quickly became an obsession with the advent of Postcard Collecting. Otherwise known as Deltiology.
Deltiology (from Greek δελτίον, deltion, diminutive of δέλτος, deltos, “writing tablet, letter”; and -λογία, -logia) is the study and collection of postcards. Professor Randall Rhoades of Ashland, Ohio, coined a word in 1945 that became the accepted description of the study of picture postcards. -Wikipedia
Postcards are a way of remembering where we’ve been, or a way of saying “wish you were here”. To find out more, we need to think back to a time before Facebook, Cell Phones, The Internet, and even Television. Back to a time where it wasn’t uncommon to wait weeks between correspondence because the only way to communicate was a handwritten letter delivered by a man who more than likely rode up to your house on horseback.
Postcards date back to the 1890’s and some would argue even earlier. According the the Royal Mail, “The first recorded postcard was sent by writer and practical joker, Theodore Hook, in 1840”. It seems countries in Europe, and the US, all had a part in the evolution of what would become the official ‘postcard’. According to the website Jewels Postcards in their article titled ‘Deltiology 101’ “…And it was not until October 1869 when Dr Emmanuel Herrman succeeded in persuading the Austrian Postal Authority to accept his invention of the first Official Postcards”.
In the beginning the only postcards allowed were official government issue postcards bearing the 1 cent postage. The first unofficial postcards could be mailed with a 2 cent stick on postage stamp. Later in the United States “an act of Congress on 19 May 1898 gave the right to private publishers to publish cards that could be mailed for the same rate as the government cards, and these were to be inscribed, ‘Private Mailing Card”.
At the very start of the 20th century Postcards became immensely popular collectables. That still continues to this day as you’ll find them in many supermarkets, drug stores, and souvenir shops. Our modern postcards may not be as fun to look at as many of the Vintage Postcards, that give us a glimpse back in time, but they are still nice to send to a loved one for that unexpected ‘Just thinking of you, wish you were here’ moment.
Here at Bags Unlimited we have some nice samples of early 20th century postcards that we think you’ll enjoy. It’s no wonder collectors find them so interesting. Not only do they have some artistic and historical significance, but sometimes they also contain correspondence giving us a peek into what life was like long ago. One of my favorites was from Viola who was ‘automobiling’ in a ‘Stanley Steemer’ back in 1907. Please have a look through the gallery. All our Postcards have been displayed in various archival poly sleeves and stored in museum grade archival boxes. You can find out more about Postcard Collection Supplies and our other archival storage products to protect your collections by visiting us here.
We hope you enjoy these as much as we did.
A white boarder era card (1915-1930) printed in the USA featuring what appears to be a colorized photograph. The postal stamp dated 1917 making this Post Card a wonderful 100 years old.
A white boarder era card (1915-1930) printed in the USA featuring what appears to be a colorized photograph. The postal stamp dated 1917 making this Post Card a wonderful 100 years old.
Mohawk Trail Illustration published by C. Lenhoff of North Adams Mass. The white boarder tells me it was made between 1915-1930. It also may have been a lesser quality reprint of an earlier era card. The start of WWI ended the import of German produced cards of higher quality.
Mohawk Trail Illustration published by C. Lenhoff of North Adams Mass. The white boarder tells me it was made between 1915-1930. It also may have been a lesser quality reprint of an earlier era card. The start of WWI ended the import of German produced cards of higher quality.
An Art Reproduction Card published by the New York Public Library featuring G.H Boughton’s ‘Pilgrims Going to Church’ from the Stuart Collection.
An Art Reproduction Card published by the New York Public Library featuring G.H Boughton’s ‘Pilgrims Going to Church’ from the Stuart Collection. Dated 1927
Souvenir Post Card ‘Pennichuck by moonlight’ printed in Great Britain
Souvenir Post Card ‘Pennichuck by moonlight’ printed in Great Britain
Real Photo Post Card Postmarked 1906. This was at a time when the back was reserved for the address only. People had to write on the front of the card at a time before the ‘divided back’ in 1907. Britian pioneered this in 1902 but it took 5 more years for the US to adopt it. I’m happy Viola got there safe and sound.
Real Photo Post Card Postmarked 1906. This was at a time when the back was reserved for the address only. People had to write on the front of the card at a time before the ‘divided back’ in 1907. Britian pioneered this in 1902 but it took 5 more years for the US to adopt it. I’m happy Viola got there safe and sound.
Love this one! They really were thinking outside the box on this. The photo was on the address side leaving the correspondence for the entire opposite side. Great idea for folsk who had a lot to say. Sadly I wish it was written on. But alas, it’s blank.
Love this one! They really were thinking outside the box on this. The photo was on the address side leaving the correspondence for the entire opposite side. Great idea for folsk who had a lot to say. Sadly I wish it was written on. But alas, it’s blank.
This 110 year old card features a colorized photograph and is dated 1907. My favorite part of it is when Ruby tells Howard she “went by here in a car” and had been “autoing in a ‘Stanley’ this PM”. Stanley was a manufacturer of steam powered cars that featured a boiler. Imagine having to literally warm up your car before you could drive.
This 110 year old card features a colorized photograph and is dated 1907. My favorite part of it is when Ruby tells Howard she “went by here in a car” and had been “autoing in a ‘Stanley’ this PM”. Stanley was a manufacturer of steam powered cars that featured a boiler. Imagine having to literally warm up your car before you could drive.
July 5th 1959, “The Waters’ fine, come on in” says ‘The Dzioks’. I’m sure they were just implying HA, we’re in Atlantic City on holiday and you’re not to Mr. and Mrs. Moosett.
July 5th 1959, “The Waters’ fine, come on in” says ‘The Dzioks’. I’m sure they were just implying HA, we’re in Atlantic City on holiday and you’re not to Mr. and Mrs. Moosett.
Cascade Lakes, Lake Placid NY Postmarked 1940. This is a really great example of photo postcard thats not a photo postcard. It’s actually a printed photo, not an actual photo. Small dots can be seen under magnification.
Cascade Lakes, Lake Placid NY Postmarked 1940. This is a really great example of photo postcard thats not a photo postcard. It’s actually a printed photo, not an actual photo. Small dots can be seen under magnification.
Linen Era Postcard (1930-1945) Known for the linen finish and gaudy dyes. This one is postmarked 1938
Linen Era Postcard (1930-1945) Known for the linen finish and gaudy dyes. This one is postmarked 1938
Another Linen Postcard postmarked 1952. (They stopped making these in 1945.) I’ve been to Whiteface and never knew their was a fire tower there. Funny enough I wonder if Helen ever made it to the top given they has a little rain. The Mountain is so high it’s literally in the clouds.
Another Linen Postcard postmarked 1952. I’ve been to Whiteface and never knew their was a fire tower there. Funny enough I wonder if Helen ever made it to the top given they has a little rain. The Mountain is so high it’s literally in the clouds.
A linen era card maufactured in 1937 (date code 7A) and postmarked 1940. She certainly didnt have much to say.
A linen era card maufactured in 1937 (date code 7A) and postmarked 1940. She certainly didnt have much to say.
Linen era postcard manufactured 1936 (date code 6A) Grandpa thought Crooked River was “a good place to fish”.
Linen era postcard manufactured 1936 (date code 6A) Grandpa thought Crooked River was “a good place to fish”.
‘Bandits Curve’. White boarder era post card (1915-30). I found this interesting due to its portrait orientation.
‘Bandits Curve’. White boarder era post card (1915-30). I found this interesting due to its portrait orientation.
Greetings from Agusta Maine. Now thats a classic.
Greetings from Agusta Maine. Now thats a classic.
Water color art by Kathleen Cassel. Printed in USA by Barton-Cotton, Inc. of Baltimore. Not quite sure on the date but from what I can find online its approximately 1907-1915
Water color art by Kathleen Cassel. Printed in USA by Barton-Cotton, Inc. of Baltimore. Not quite sure on the date but from what I can find online its approximately 1907-1915
Some Art Reproduction cards from the ‘Ages of Love Series’ by Morris & Bendien NY (1907-15)
Some Art Reproduction cards from the ‘Ages of Love Series’ by Morris & Bendien NY (1907-15)
Eastern Park, Little Falls, NY published by ‘The American News Company, New York’ is a great example of a Photo Postcard. The back staes “Photo Chrome” but its made in Germany which means before WWI. I’m guessing it’s Chrome Lithography made between 1907-1915.
A linen Tichnor Bros. Postcard which looks like an illustration, not a colorized photo.
Another Mohawk Trail Postcard, but this time a colorized photograph published by Whitcomb Summit Co. North Adams Mass. Apparently North Adams was the place to be if you were in the Post Card printing business.
A great example of German made (1907-15) photo postcard.
“Indian Rock”. A hand colored postcard by the Albertype Co. in Brooklyn NY published by Green’s Art Store, Boardwalk, Narragansett Pier, RI
Camp Life in 1935. Wow do those Linen cards have vibrant colors.
‘Bathing Beach’ made in USA by Strauss & Shefrin, Brooklyn NY. White Border Era 1915-1930
St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Augusta, Maine. published by Agusta News Co.
Genuine Curteich-Chicago “C.T. Art-Colortone” Post Card. Main Steet, Waterville Maine published by Agusta News Co. Agusta Maine in 1944 (date code 4B)
Battle of Bunker Hill. Good example of a Patriotic Postcard. It appears as though some text at the bottom was eliminated through cropping.
Linen Print circa 1947 of a sign post in Maine.
And in 1934 folks were lead to beleive that Maine grew potatoes SO large, they filled a rail car. Who knew they had photoshop in 1934. (of course they didnt, but they had other means of photo trickery and thats a totally different blog post for another day)
When we aren’t flipping through our vintage postcards late nights with friends over a bottle of French Bordeaux, we store our postcards in Archival boxes. Certainly not a shoebox like your grandmother may have stored them in.
These incredible museum grade archival boxes are made from solid 40pt. tan, lignin-free, acid-free, unbuffered board. They even have Titanium metal edges for stacking strength and are impervious to Superman’s heat vision. Ok, they arent titanium, and they wont protect your postcards from heat vision, but they are still darn cool boxes. They also have a 1-1/2″ deep cover and ship assembled.
