Collecting Postcards





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Collecting Postcards Part 1 - Postal Cards
by Glyn Farber

A Postal Card is a type of postcard that was first released by the United States Postal Service in 1873. The destination address, return address and the preprinted postage was on the back side of Postal Cards. The entire front side of Postal Cards could be used to write a message. The very first Postal Cards issued were 5 ½ inches by 3 ½ inches, which is the same size used today. In 1873 a Postal Card could be purchased for one cent. By 1879 the cost increased to two cents and then back to one cent in 1885. Up until 1956 the cost of Postal Cards varied from one cent to two cents and at times three cents. In 1956 the postage increased to 4 cents and has risen gradually ever since.

The 1873 Postal Card had a preprinted image of Miss Liberty similar to the capped bust liberty used on coins of the early 1800s. The image also indicated the postal rate of one cent. In 1875 the image changed to a more ornate Capped Liberty framed with Roman Fasces on either sides. The traditional Roman Fasces consisted of a bundle of birch rods tied together with a ribbon around an axe. The Fasces symbolize power and jurisdiction. A single Roman Fasces can also be found on the reverse of a Mercury Dime (1916-1945).

A third Miss Liberty was used until the late 1800s. In 1885 the image of Thomas Jefferson appeared on Postal Cards. Followed by Ulysses S. Grant in 1891 and then John Adams. A few months after the assassination of President William McKinley his image appeared on USPS Postal Cards. By 1911 the image was once again change, this time to Abraham Lincoln.

As you can see Postal Cards went through many phases and for many years the USPS had a monopoly on Postal Cards. However, on May 19, 1898 Congress passed the Private Mailing Card Act that allowed private publishers and printers to produce postcards.

Glyn Farber has published a catalog of all known Hickey Brother Cigar Store Tokens and co-authored a book about Louisiana Trade Tokens. In addition he wrote several articles for The Token and Medal Society (TAMS) and The National Token Collectors Association (NTCA). Glyn has been a devoted collector of Louisiana Trade Tokens, Louisiana collectibles and Lake Charles, LA postcards for almost 40 years.

Find out more information about Postal Cards, Collectibles and Trade Tokens at his web sites http://www.most-popular-collectibles-at-auction.com and http://www.louisiana-trade-tokens.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glyn_Farber

More Collecting Postcard Articles:

  • Collecting Postcards – Post Card Era
    By 1902, the postcard industry was off and running, and so was the hobby of collecting postcards.
  • Collecting Postcards – Private Mailing Cards
    On May 19, 1898, Congress passed the Private Mailing Card Act which allowed private printers and publishers to produce postcards.
  • Collectible Post Cards
    Collecting post cards is a fun hobby, and one of the most interesting things to collect are photo post card collectibles.
  • Collectible Post Cards on eBay
    For just about anything you can think of, someone somewhere collects it, and they are probably searching eBay right now for what they want. So whatever kind of postcard you are collecting, buying or selling on eBay can help you add to your collection or generate the money while getting rid of postcards you don't need.
  • Collectors Guide to Real Photo Postcards
    Real photo postcards are actual photographs that have been printed in a darkroom on postcard paper. Cards that are based on real photos but are printed by lithography or other methods are not considered real photo postcards.

More Postcard Articles:

Other Collecting Postcards Sites:

Antique Postcards at thepostcard.com - Antique & Collectible
Old Antique, Collectible & Modern Postcards for Sale

Post Card Images - Antique Postcards on Magnets
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SANTALADY's Antique Santa Post Cards and Related Traditions
Custom Olde World Santa Dolls, Santa Bulletin Board, History of Santa Claus, Antique Santa Post Cards, Santa Claus/Christmas Links, Meet the Artist, Collectible Porcelain Dolls for 1999.

VintagePostcards.com: Vintage Postcards for Collectors.
Offering quality vintage postcards for collectors of art, history, memorabilia, antiques, photography, topicals and the postcard.




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