Featured Interesting Article On Postcards And Those Who Collect Them

Postcard People
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/26/nyregion/postcard-people.html

I found this to be an interesting read.

 

Joe, that was a very interesting article! Thanks for sharing it.

I think the most telling parts were about the ages of the collectors & the members of that club. (Just like so many other "collectibles" areas, I'm afraid.)

I also like that one gentleman's comment:
“I started as a collector, but like all kinds of junkies, you eventually have to become a dealer to support your habit.”

I have never considered myself a "postcard person", but I do have an awful lot of them for a non-collector! I have dozens of embroidered silk PCs from WWI, all sent home by family members serving overseas.

As for "regular" & RP PCs, I have hundreds of old ones: from my college, from places I've lived, from places I've visited... They all have some personal connection, at any rate.

I can only say that I'm very thankful that postcards don't take up too much room!

 

What a fun article !

 

I also like that one gentleman's comment:
“I started as a collector, but like all kinds of junkies, you eventually have to become a dealer to support your habit.”

Hahha....bin there done that !! ......twice !

 

Some great observations in the article including the one mentioned by SBSVC. I've only been collecting postcards for two years now and have already acquired a thousand or so, they add up fast especially if you purchase any bulk lots.

In another article I think I read that postcard collecting is the 3rd most popular collectable category behind coins & stamps. I'm a bit surprised by that but there are some huge sellers on eBay that sell tons of cards each and every day.

 

Question: I'm researching postcards and a lot of them are sold with the stamps removed. Is this so the seller can try to get more money - selling the stamp separately? How does this affect the value of the postcard? New to this whole genre.

 

I joined a small postcard club earlier this year and cannot overemphasize how much this has helped me develop my tastes and has accelerated my learning in the hobby. I don't think I'm a newbie anymore and although I still have lots to learn, I'm really getting a feel for what is collectable and what is less sought after. It is amazing how much stuff is out there on every imaginable topic, collectors can and do specialize in their own niches where they the experts in the field.

One thing that does concern me is demographics of the hobby. I'm by far the youngest collector at our postcard club and it is by a margin of nearly 30 years. The average age is probably pushing 75 years old and each time we meet there is always some talk of who in the postcard collecting community has recently passed on. In other venues too I've noticed that the average age for people purchasing and collecting is at least 70's possibly older.

I don't think that antique/vintage postcards are properly "marketed" to the masses and believe that there would be many more collectors if people had more exposure to them. I don't believe that there is any collecting forum for postcard folks out there ..... I wish some more would join here so I don't have to bore everyone.

Your thoughts?

 

The perfume bottle group I belong to is almost in the same boat. A few of years back they started a specific program to actively entice young collectors to join the group.

They have special programs from them & gift them with some bottles to get them started.

I think if groups what to continue to exist they will have to do the same thing.

JMHO

 

One thing that does concern me is demographics of the hobby. I'm by far the youngest collector at...........

& you're young here to......but so far...not boring !!!

 

Not yet at least! Now that would be an interesting experiment ...... how much boring could forum members take before running away in terror!

Now there is lots of boring, bland postcards out there in dealer's quarter boxes that never get sold. Kind of like late 80's early 90's baseball cards, you could place them all in a giant bonfire, light it and nobody in the hobby would care.

 

I agree with @komokwa -- you are not boring anyone!

About the age of collectors... it was mentioned earlier that there is a lack of younger collectors in many collectibles areas. And those that do exist may not join clubs very often. Looking back, when I was in my 20s and early 30s I didn't consider myself a collector of much. I used to like to buy certain inexpensive old books -- but my financial situation at the time kept me from even considering anything that looked like a collection. The photo collection that I have now didn't begin until my 40s.

Also, back in my 20s I probably would have felt a bit intimidated by the idea of joining a club where all of the members were at least 30 years older. So, kudos to you for doing that!

By the way, my photo collection is not limited in format. I have many dozens of real photo postcards. I hadn't thought I was a postcard collector, but in a way -- yes, I am!

 

when I was in my 20s and early 30s I didn't consider myself a collector of much.

Back then I collected British Sterling....cigarette cases...bottle badges.. S&P...flasks, and assorted smalls.....cuz I loved old silver.....never thinking I was any kind of collector...
my lighter collection.....my blade collection....I never thought of others...amassing the same items.
Even as a kid, my trading card collections, were only limited to a small circle of friends who played knock down and traded among ourselves.
My comic collection....that was me unto myself with a flashlight under the covers , past bedtime.....entering a world of super hero's and heroic military stories that carried me away from my normal existence , on dulcimer wings ..!!

 

I Love to see young folks get into 'collecting' .. I like their eagerness to learn and their refreshing youth. I am 76yrs old and plan on being around for 20 more yrs you are not 'boring' in any way .. share your "buys" with us .. we are so happy to have you here ... Joy.

 

There are a lot of postal history/stamp collectors out there that collect postcards just for the back of the card. I assume someone saw a uncommon stamp they needed and decided to pull it off.

This can damage the postcard a bit and is not optimal but if properly done doesn't take away too much. However if part of the card is gone that could impact value.