Collecting Postcards

Mar/Apr 2019 edition
Issue #3 AutoMobilia Resource Magazine
Bonnie Singer - Guest Columnist

There are few collectibles that offer as wide a range of options and availability to beginner, and advanced collectors than picture postcards.  Unlike other collectibles originally produced in limited numbers due to narrow interests or non-technological manufacturing methods, picture postcards arrived on the scene in the mid-to-late 1890s to immediate popular interest.  Postcard historians claim postcards printed and collected on a worldwide basis in the early 20th century created the largest collecting craze ever to have taken place.

While many of the early postcards were topical as tourism souvenirs or holiday greetings, the timing of public interest in collectible cards, development of high volume/high quality printing presses, and a burgeoning popular passion for automobiles, quickly created a demand for topical automotive picture postcards.

Picture postcards fall into one of two groups:  photographic images or illustrations.  Photographic postcards can be either real photo postcards, referred to by collectors as RPPC or mass-produced on printing presses. The three French postcards shown here are the mass-produced type, all printed between 1905 and 1910. 

On these cards, the drivers and vehicles were identified, and so was the race, during which the original photo was taken. Cards similar to these were produced in the thousands with many different images making them relatively easy to find for beginning collectors, and desirable for those seeking specific drivers or marques.

Illustrated automotive postcards, especially early European ones, generally had great graphics and have always been eagerly sought by collectors.  These cards usually were produced to advertise particular marques as the beautiful Rene Vincent illustrated Peugeot, or automotive-related products as the spectacular Luxor Goggles card by Geo Ham.  Cards that have printed artist signatures such as these, are referred to in the postcard community as “artist-signed”, though the term is sometimes a little confusing to novice collectors as it does not designate cards with original autographs. 

The majority of illustrated automotive postcards are advertising cards with hundreds of images, particularly from the major brands of tires and motor oil, as well as headlamps, shock absorbers, windshield wipers, and even driver’s apparel.  

Instead of advertising products, many illustrated cards promoted early motorsports, especially rally events or city-to-city road races, and track events.  Many of the most publicized early-to-mid 20th century racing events were European, and so are the postcards.  One of the rarest automotive postcards was produced in Italy by the RACI promoting the 1939 Coppa Principe di Napoli and 30th Targa Florio, artist-signed Perricone.

Automotive images carry such universal appeal that they often appear in postcard illustrations not solely automotive in theme.  For some collectors, these cards are also desirable simply for their whimsey, such as Santa driving a car rather than a sleigh, or simple charm, such as this tourism postcard urging one to “Come to Florida”.    

Postcards are generally a standard size of approximately 3.5”x5.5”, which fit easily into 4-pocket per page clear binder sheets for easy organizing and storage.  “Continental” size postcards are approximately 4”x6” and were mostly produced in Germany and Italy, although modern postcards worldwide are often printed in this size.
Prices as with most collectibles are dependent on both condition and rarity.  One of the wonderful attractions of collecting postcards is that many, many cards are available for just a few dollars on eBay or at local postcard shows, up to several hundred dollars each for those fewer extraordinary cards that are truly rare. 

Some of these cards I have had multiple times, and have had widely varying pricing from one card to the next, both in buying and selling prices. On any given day, you could possibly find the same card from maybe three different sellers, priced anywhere from $50 to $350! I know these seem like extremes, but honestly, that is the way the postcard market is. Most of the postcards I have shown here are from my personal collection.

Depending on the card they range in value from as low as under $50 to $850 for the exceedingly rare 1939 Targa Florio card. Always consider…. have you seen this before, how much do you want it, and when, if ever, will you find another?

BS