Postcard Values
Postcards That once Sold for Pennies now Bring Thousands!
Postcards are all over the map in terms of value, with some categories attaining previously unheard of prices. The Jackson International November 2005 Two Day Auction of Postcards, Stamps and Ephemera rocked the postcard world when a circa 1898 unused card advertising Waverley Bicycles featuring artwork by Alphonse Mucha brought $12,650.00. A year and two months later, this world’s record for the highest price ever paid for a postcard is intact.
The postcard market has been strong for years, and like all consumer driven markets has seen upsurges and declines in popularity of some segments. For now, these most sought after categories bring the highest prices:
Real Photo Postcards
Real photo postcards are growing in popularity. This seems to be due to the fact that real photo cards often ARE one of a kind. Many were produced by itinerant photographers who traveled the country shooting scenes on photographic paper printed with postcard backings. Photographers would arrive in a small town and shoot local landmarks- the main street, the school and its students, the library, local clubs, churches or simply someone’s home. The most sought after of these limited quantity real photo cards have some sort of identification. Collectors want to know what and where. For example a real photo card identified as “Floyd’s Baber Shop, Mayberry will command a higher price than the same unidentified shop. In addition, the most valuable cards are either scenes from everyday life or events. Train wrecks, airplane crashes and lynchings are popular. In the previously mention Jackson’s Auctions, a real photo postcard entitled, “Three Negroes Were Burned at the Stake” brought $1,380.00. On eBay last month, a real photo card of a Taft Campaign Train brought $11.49, a 76 Gas Station, Route 66 California $113.61, and Fenske’s Barber Shop $20.38.
Cards With Crossover Appeal
Some of the most valuable postcards appeal to many types of collectors. For example, a real photo card of the Titanic would appeal to transportation, maritime, postcard and Titanic memorabilia collectors. Another popular crossover area is Halloween, and to a lesser extent, Christmas and Valentine's Day. Halloween collectibles of all types are highly popular right now.
Artist Signed Postcards
Prices for Artist Signed cards are strong. Subjects include children, animals, holiday, sports, jokes and humor, Black Americana, Wild West, fantasy, and speaking of fantasy, beautiful women especially nudes. Art Nouveau artist signed are particularly strong. At the Jackson Auction, an Art Nouveau woman with butterfly wings by Samuel Schmucker sold for $12,075.00.
Advertising Postcards
The earliest advertising postcards in this country date from 1883 or so. Then, as now, competition for attention was stiff. Consequently, advertising cards are some of the most beautiful and of the highest quality with illustrations by the most famous artists and illustrators of the day.
