Below are some links to information about postcard collecting generally, including tips for dating postcards and links to websites that sell postcards. Please note that the online sales sites listed below are not owned, endorsed or monitored by the TPC!
General Information about Postcards
The History of the Postcard
- a BNAPS essay & exhibit of Canadian usage from 1871
- from the PostCrossing group on the 150th anniversary, Oct. 1, 1869
- an American perspective
- and the French version
About Postcards – English postcard styles and publishers including a useful glossary
The First Picture Postcard?
Metropostcard.com (via archive.org) – An extensive glossary of postcard “lingo” and histories of all things postcard.
Smithsonian Institution Archives – Another good general history source.
Smithsonian profile of ‘Greetings From’ Linens
Postcardy – Many articles about postcards from the “Golden Age” and more.
The Postcard Album – Broad information source with an emphasis on early German printers and publishers.
Greeting Card History – relative to the 1869 invention of the postcard
How to …
Grade Your Postcards
Date Your Postcards from the look and reverse side markings (USA oriented but relevant to Canadian postcards also)
Date Your Real Photo Postcards by Stamp Box Type
Date Your Real Photo Postcards by Back Type
Postcard Shopping
Cherryland Postcard Auctions – a well-known U.S. postcard dealer
Delcampe Auctions – a European-based alternative to eBay with excellent content, including Canadian cards and some Canadian dealers
eBay.ca – eBay’s “.ca” reports in $ Canadian and has listings from around the world
eBay.com – can also be used from Canada
Hippostcard.com
Mary Martin Postcards & Supplies – a longstanding U.S. postcard dealer
IFPD Dealer List – for the U.S. and other countries
Postcard Publications
Barr’s Postcard News
Picture Postcard Monthly
Card Talk (the TPC’s own thrice-yearly magazine. Join us to subscribe!)