How to Buy Vintage Holiday and Greeting Postcards

Collecting Vintage Holiday and Greeting Postcards can be fun and rewarding. The antique cards are beautiful and historical. Postcard collecting is currently the third largest collectible hobby in the world. There are many things to look for when collecting Postcards.

Determine the condition of the postcard

This rating system is used for older or antique postcards.

• M - Mint : A perfect card just as it comes from the printing press. No marks, bends, or creases. No writing or postmarks. A clean and fresh card. Seldom seen.
• NM - Near Mint : Like Mint but very light aging or very slight discoloration from being in an album for many years. Not as sharp or crisp.
• EX - Excellent : Like mint in appearance with no bends or creases, or rounded or blunt corners. May be postally used or unused and with writing and postmark only on the address side. A clean, fresh card on the picture side.
• VG - Very Good : Corners may be a bit blunt or rounded. Almost undetectable crease or bend that does not detract from overall appearance of the picture side. May have writing or postally used on address side.
• G - Good : Corners may be noticeably blunt or rounded with noticeably slight bends or creases. May be postally used or have writing on the address side.
• FR - Fair : Card is intact. Excess soil, stains, creases, writing, or cancellation may affect picture. Could be a scarce card that is difficult to find in any condition.
  
  

Tips

• Auction Abbreviations
  
  
  
  
  • Und/B-Undivided Back 1901-1907
  • DB-Divided Back 1907-1915
  • WB-White Border 1916-1930
  • L-Linen era 1930-1945
  • C-Chromes 1945 to 1970s
  • Cont. sz - 4"x6" chromes 1970s up
  • b/w-black and white
  • cof-cancel on face
  • crs-crease
  • cnr-corner
  • emb-embossed
  • lt-light
  • m/t-margin tear
  • o/w-otherwise
  • p/ or pub - publisher
  • pm-postmarked
  • RP-Real Photo
  • s/ or sgn - artist signed
  • s/m-stamp missing
  • u-used
  • unu-unused
  • wob-writing on back
  • wof-writing on face
  • a number within parentheses indicates quantity of cards in lot.