Friday 23 April 2021

The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Postcards

 

A classic Los Angeles postcard from 1948. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.

Postcards have a serious and dedicated following of collectors. They’re small, lightweight and plentiful, which makes them a perfect item for amassing a large collection. Vintage postcards, in particular, offer a unique glimpse of the past. The hobby of collecting postcards is so popular that it even has its own word: deltiology, the study and collection of postcards.

The History of Vintage Postcards

Postcards as we know them today took a while to develop and had several different stages. The many different manifestations of postcards make it relatively simple to categorize postcards into various eras.

1861 – Lipman’s Postal Card

An original Lipman Postal Card from the 1800s. Image courtesy of metropostcard.com.

The history of the postcard started in 1861, with a US Congressional Act that allowed the mailing of privately printed cards weighing less than an ounce. Until 1872, postcards were primarily printed by two men: first John P. Charlton and then Hyman L. Lipman.

1872 – Government Postal Cards

In 1872, new legislation made private postcards more expensive to mail (2 cents up from 1 cent) and prioritized government-issued cards. Government cards were the only ones that could legally say “Postal Card” and they cost 1 cent – half as much as private cards.

A government-issue postal card from 1892. Image courtesy of Flickr user Wylan.

1898 – Private Mailing Cards

Then, in 1898, Congress ushered in the era of the Private Mailing Card, which also cost 1 cent but was distinguishable in name from the government’s Postal Cards. The privately printed cards were required to read, “Authorized by Act of Congress of May 19 1898.”

Unlike modern cards featuring images, many Private Mailing Cards were blank on one side. This allowed the sender to include a message, because the other side was exclusively for an address (see note in image below).

A vintage Private Mailing Card, different from the government-issued Postal Cards also distributed in this time period. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.

1901 – Undivided Post Cards

In late 1901, Congress passed legislation that allowed private printers to call their cards Post Cards instead of including the long and cumbersome phrase from the Private Mailing Cards.

During this time, pictures started to appear on postcards, but the address was still the only thing allowed on the other side of the card. Many cards of this era were sent without messages. This era of postcards, which lasted until 1907, was known as the “Undivided Back Period.”

A post card from Spanish Town Jamaica in 1905. The sender was able to fit a message on the picture side of the post card. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.
The non-picture side of the post card was exclusively for the address. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.

1907 – Divided Back Post Cards

In 1907, Congress lightened up on the address-only limitations, allowing for messages along with the address and ushering in the era of the Divided Back Post Card.

This 1909 vintage postcard was one of the early divided back post cards, allowing for a message on the left. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

This time period, between 1907 and 1915, was when postcards really took off and became popular. In 1908, the US Post Office reported that 700 million postcards had been mailed in America. That number had increased to 900 million by 1913.

This vintage RPPC from 1910 features actress Maude Allan in “The Vision of Salome.” Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

This is also the time when real photo postcards (RPPCs) start to appear. Kodak actually produced a postcard camera in this time, which printed out a postcard-sized negative that was ready to send.

1915 – White Borders

The popularity of postcards in America declined at the start of World War I. Also around this time, printers saved ink by adding a white border which characterizes this era of postcards.

This 1919 postcard featuring the Mechanics Building in Boston, Massachusetts, is an example of the white border era. Image courtesy of PostcardPassionShop.

1930 – Linen Post Cards

In 1930, new technology allowed postcards to be printed on paper with a high rag content. This gave the appearance of linen, which became the hallmark of this postcard era. The linen postcards also made printing colors brighter.

An early linen postcard featuring Lake Tohopekaliga in St. Cloud, Florida in the 1930s. Image courtesy of PostcardPassionShop.

1945 – Photochrom

The photochrom postcard, which is most like the modern photographic postcard, appeared first at Union Oil Company service stations in 1939. World War II put a major slow-down on production of these cards, but after the war they became the mainstream type of postcard.

An example of an early photochrom postcard. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.

The Joy of Vintage Postcards

“What I love about vintage postcards is they provide a view into how places existed in the past,” says Priscilla Emery, owner of PostcardPassionShop. “It’s like owning a little piece of history.” 

A linen postcard circa 1950 featuring the Empire State Building. Image courtesy of PostcardPassionShop.

Vintage Postcard Scenes

Matt Daugherty, owner of Love Vintage Postcards, also appreciates the peek into history that vintage postcards offer. “I love vintage postcards because they give us a tangible, everyday view into the past,” he says. I love seeing postcards from well-known cities or natural sites, and to realize how much the world around us has changed.”

A real photo postcard (RPPC) of Hawick High Street in Scotland before cars became popular. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.
A 2011 image of Hawick High Street, looking much different in modern times. Image by Peter Bond.

Daugherty has amassed a collection of hundreds of postcards, many from the early 1900s. His mother-in-law also gifted him her collection, many of which had been sent from family members. This ignited a lifelong passion for collection. “Since then, I’ve collected hundreds more, mostly from estate sales and antique shops,” Daugherty says. 

A view of Golden Gate before the famous bridge existed. “This one stands out to me because the Golden Gate Bridge is so iconic, and this shows that the entrance to the Bay has always been a point of interest,” says Daugherty.
The view of Mount Shasta from an old stagecoach route. Image courtesy of LoveVintagePostcards.

John Miller, owner of the Youtube channel and eBay store Popeye’s Postcards, is a self-proclaimed history buff who started buying postcards from his hometown as Christmas presents for his father. “Most of the scenes of towns or places on postcard don’t look like that anymore or they might not exist at all anymore,” he says. “Postcards were the Twitter or Instagram post of their day.” 

A real photo postcard showing Regents Park in London in 1909. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.
A modern image of the same park, taken in 2013. The vintage postcards gives a view into what has changed and what hasn’t.

Notes on Vintage Postcards

The notes on a postcard can offer an even more personal and cultural view into the past. “These correspondences from people long ago show us the places they visited, the holidays they celebrated, and what was important in their lives,” says Daugherty.

Pepe Spadone, owner of PepePostcards, has a collection of more than 10,000 postcards. “I have always been interested in vintage postcards, even as a child I loved receiving them from friends and family who were traveling,” he says. “I love the hidden stories that lies within them.”

This funny image of Charlie Chaplin is inscribed on the back with an even funnier sentiment (see image below). Image courtesy of PepePostcards.
“This is me at the moment.” Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

Sometime it’s a simple message, to confirm that the writer arrived safely. Other times it is more intriguing, perhaps a romantic liaison or love message. “Each one of them is like its own piece of art, a small treasure sent forward from the past,” says Spadone. “Each one hold its personal message and the fun is deciphering, understanding and appreciating that message.” 

This 1903 postcard shows a funny cartoon and a sweet note from Dad. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

Vintage Portrait Postcards

Spadone’s favorite type of postcards to collect are vintage portraits. “It is so interesting to imagine what they were saying to one another or what sort of life they lived,” he says. “Within this theme I love postcard portraits of the clergy or nuns. I simply adore ones showing scenes and people of the circus or amateur dramatics and theatre.”

A postcard featuring an image of a nun – a particular favorite of Spadone. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.
An unposted vintage real photo postcard showing a circus clown with his mule. Published by Dr. Kenkler Co. in Leipzig. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

In addition to nuns and clergy, it was also popular to see actresses and actors on postcards in the early days. “I also love the glamorous postcards featuring actresses of the early 1900’s,” says Spadone. “With research you can then find out more about their lives and even their deaths.”

A vintage RPPC featuring two Victorian schoolgirls dressed as jesters in an amateur dramatic theatre group. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

One of the postcards in Spadone’s collection has a very interesting backstory. Mabel Love was a British dancer and stage actress in the late 1800s and the first half of the 1900s.

A postcard featuring actress Mabel Love, “The Pretty Girl of the Postcard.” Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

Spadone explains the novelty of this actress postcard: “In March 1889, under the headline ‘Disappearance of a Burlesque Actress,’ The Star newspaper reported that Love had disappeared. It was later reported that she had gone to the Thames Embankment, considering suicide. This publicity served merely to increase the public’s interest in her. When photographer Frank Foulsham had the idea of selling the images of actresses on postcards, Love proved to be a popular subject leading one writer to christen her ‘The Pretty Girl of the Postcard.'”

Where to Find Vintage Postcards

“You can’t beat going to a postcard show for finding postcards,” says Miller. You can find a list of shows at postcardhistory.net. Miller also recommends finding a local postcard club meeting, most cities have a dedicated group of collectors. “At club meetings, you get to build relationships with other dealers and collectors and they may have what you’re looking for or they’ll keep an eye out for you,” he says. “People can find them in antique malls and live auctions too.” 

A postcard featuring Notre Dame in the 1950s — especially novel now after the fire. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

“There are sellers, like myself, who sell online both on eBay and Etsy and some have their own online stores,” says Emery. “I tend to find interesting cards at estate sales and in flea markets and antique stores. Condition can be a problem at estate sales since some people save postcards but don’t understand how to preserve and protect them as a collection.” 

Finding the Value of a Vintage Postcard

Value is a very subjective thing since value is in the eye of the beholder,” says Emery. “I’ve also sold postcards on eBay and I’ve had some people bid up cards for any number of reasons. I had one person spend over $124 on a card from Romania that was in terribly worn condition but it had an emotional value to them.”

There are several factors to consider when assessing the value of a postcard.

1. Subject Matter on the Postcard

Signed artist cards can be extremely rare and valuable. One example are Halloween postcards by Samuel Smucker or Alphonse Mucha.

A 1964 postcard signed by artist Morris Katz. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.

Some of the most valuable postcards in Miller’s possession are by modern artist Matthew Kirscht. The collector has about 60 of the artist’s cards and some are worth as much as $300. 

Also, RPPCs that show images of street views, turn-of-the-century wagons, or scenes from China and Hong Kong before 1920 can be highly valuable, especially if mailed from the card’s location. 

This RPPC from 1913 features a street vendor selling fruit in China – postcards with scenes like this can be valuable for their rarity. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.

“I once found a circa-1912 real photo postcard of a street in Greenwich Village taken by Jessie Tarbox Beals, who was the first female photo-journalist,” says Miller. “I bought it for 30 cents and it sold for $550.” 

2. Condition of a Vintage Postcard

“The paper and printing used on antique postcards just feel and look different and old,” says Miller. “The newer cards and reproductions are usually thinner card stock with a shiny/slick coating like a photo printed at Walmart.”

The feel of a vintage postcard is a common reference point for serious collectors. “The texture and feel of the postcard that the image is printed on gives you clear indication of the postcard’s age,” says Spadone. “You do not have to handle many genuine ones to be able to know a reproduction. Other clear signs are who published it and obviously if it has a stamp and postmark upon it.” 

Emery says the “touch and quality of the card stock is usually a dead giveaway. It’s hard to describe but I know one when I feel one.

3. Age of a Vintage Postcard

If a postcard has been used, it’s much easier to assess its age through the postmark. The clearer the postmark, the better. It’s also more valuable if the postmark is rare or features a hand-drawn cancel (the mark that defaces the stamp so it can’t be re-used). 

Though the ink is spotty, one can just make out “10” at the end of the postal cancel date, identifying that this postcard is from 1910. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

The stamp can also offer some clues as to the postcard’s age. “Unused cards usually have a stamp box area that tells the person to put a one cent stamp on it,” says Miller. 

The postal cancel on this card proves that it is from 1909. Image courtesy of PepePostcards.

The world’s oldest picture postcard on record is from 1840. It sold for more than $40,000 at a London auction in 2002. 

Your Vintage Postcard Collection

This RPPC features a scene from Keota, Iowa, in 1910 featuring Uncle Sam riding in a Studebaker during a parade. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.

As you can see, there are many reasons to collect postcards. With such a plentiful array of subject matter, age, condition and material, postcards present an opportunity for just about every collector to find something they love. Vintage postcards can also make unique gifts, too. For more information about postcard collecting, or to connect with fellow collectors, check out these active Facebook groups:

Vintage Postcards

Vintage letters, photos, postcards, stamps, for sale or trade. U.S.

Vintage Postcards From The Past

Also, the sources featured in this article make excellent resources for information and collectible vintage postcards:

Popeye’s Postcards

PostcardPassionShop

PepePostcards

Love Vintage Postcards

And of course, postcards can sometimes be found on our online estate sales page.

Happy postcard hunting!

Saturday 10 April 2021

Buying Chinese Porcelain From Auctions, A Collectors Guide

 

Buying Chinese Porcelain From Auctions, A Collectors Guide

Buying Chinese porcelain and Chinese art in general these days is a tricky endeavor on several levels. All of them are of course tied to the issue of authentication and dating of objects as well as knowing the differences between common pieces and rarities. Put simply, it all falls under three basic categories.

This Chinese Porcelain Plate Looks Great Right?..It's A Great FAKE and Worth Nothing.

buying chinese porcelain

A brand new copy of a Ming-style Yongzheng era Mark and Period plate, it is a convincing fake.

Three Basics Of Collecting; Buying Chinese Porcelain

  1. Detecting FAKES and COPIES At the top level is avoiding the literally millions of fakes and copies being pushed across the world through a variety of dishonest outlets. Ranging from corrupt auction houses, dishonest dealers and bogus websites all stocked with goods shipped from China by the container load every week. It is a huge business, and a business of deception.
  2. Determining Age of Old Objects. Once you've managed to avoid the fakes, you then need to know enough to discern whether or not an item is of the age or type it is being offered as. Which can be as difficult at times as spotting a modern copy.
  3. Determining Quality. "not all antiques are created equally." Determining the quality of an object in comparison to other objects of the same type and period is a skill that comes mostly with time, but is very important for those wanting to build an interesting collection. Doing this well, is key to separating the proverbial "wheat from the chaff."
Chinese Yongzheng Palace Bowl
Authentic Chinese Yongzheng Palace Bowl, with reign mark, National Gallery Of Art, Washington DC

Buying Chinese Porcelain , Art and Antiques, Where to Start

If you're fairly new at buying Chinese porcelain and antiques, meaning you've been at it for less than five years of study and haven't yet handled thousands of objects. I say "HANDLED" as opposed to seeing, there is a BIG difference. Seeing is not the same as touching, your tactile memory is a powerful tool when it comes to objects. So until you've done all of this, learn to sit on your wallet, take a breath, be patient and get verification.

Especially if you are not absolutely certain of the object and reputation of the dealer or auctioneer selling it. Most seem nice, some have very impressive auction rooms and they are very often crooks. Conmen are always very personable and convincing, how else can they succeed at doing what they are doing? If this sounds harsh, it's not, it is reality unfortunately.

The number of auction houses in the entire world who have a very good strong understanding of Chinese art and most importantly are 100% honest about what they sell is we believe fewer than a couple dozen. 7 are in the USA.

In the US, in our opinion only 7 fall under the category of being very knowledgeable and are honest in their representations.

Seven Auction Houses In The US You Can Rely On, The Good Guys!

One is an online auction house known as "I-Gavel" founded years ago by long time Sotheby's expert Lark Mason. The others are the three major auction houses; Christie's, Bonhams and Sotheby's. Then you have Doyle NYC, Freeman Auctioneers, and the Heritage Auctions based in Texas. Heritage Auctioneers is fairly new to the Asian Art auction business, but have spent the time and money to put on staff experts with deep experience.

There is no Santa Claus for non-experts in any of the art world.

Previous Bidamount coverage of Chinese Auction Fakes.

The rest of the auction houses either sell only fakes, or a mix of authentic and copies and do not clearly state in their descriptions which are copies and which are not. It's often all left rather vague on both authentic things and copies. The rest are sellers of all or nearly all fakes only, or 90% fakes. They often describe all objects as being authentic, but are estimated at bargain basement prices. The combinations of chicanery is nearly endless.

Rule # 1. Crazy low estimates on rare looking objects in Asian Art auctions, means it's a fake 99.999% of the time. Auctioneers have access to auction prices on the web too, they can't feign ignorance about it any more. So they are either lying about the object or about what they know about values. Either way, you should run for your life.

So, How To Collect and Learn and Not Lose Your Shirt?

A Few Resources You Should Focus On: The Basics

Until you really get on your feet and truly know what it is you're doing, information is out there that can serve as your "Training Wheels."

  1. Buy safely, patronize the the SEVEN companies discussed above. In doing so, you'll accomplish a few things. You'll end up with authentic items and you'll be able to learn first hand from handling them and seeing what authentic items should look and feel like. You're also dealing with folks who know their stuff and will be happy to discuss objects of interest to help you learn much more than you probably know. Optimally you should attend auction Previews in person when possible, you can learn ten times more quickly and make relationships with educated specialists.
  2. Bidamount.com, Check our weekly auctions on our News Letter Page, we've already looked a them for you.
  3. Get to know highly reputable dealers. Long term dealer specialists see more in a month, than the typical collector and generalist dealer sees in years. Typically, they love what they do more than almost anything and will be fonts of priceless information. You may also find you get better prices from dealers fairly often than at auction. Many of the greatest collections ever created came in the majority from great dealers.
  4. Museums, if one is nearby visit it often and consider very seriously joining it. Once a member, always take the time to attend lectures, "hands-on" days where they allow members to join their experts to study and learn. In other words participate in as many events and offerings they provide as possible.
  5. Reliable Internet Resources, build a list and book-mark them. There are many good informational resources upon which you can rely.
  6. BOOKS! A few words about books are also important to add here. Get ones that are very specific! Start building a GOOD solid library. Do NOT buy Generalist types of books with vague broad titles that try to encompass the entire field or all of the objects within one category. Do focus on books focussing specifically on certain eras and periods and by type. Books can represent a significant investment of time and money, so buy selectively.
  7. Our YouTube Channel. Over 300 fairly lengthy looks at past auctions, identifying objects, Museum collection tours online and the occasional look at auctions of fakes being sold by folks we think are beneath contempt. (Check the link on the right side column.)

Bidamount.com Our Approach: How This Site Works And Serves The Collecting Community

Helping Seasoned Pros And New Collectors

Bidamount.com is an informational site. With its own extensive content as well as slews of links to other reliable resources. On Bidamount, we also share objects being sold that have been vetted by us one by one. You can just decide if you like it and want to buy it.

We believe buying Chinese porcelain and Asian art in general should be easy and stress free.

Lots Of Free Content & Information

chinese porcelain auction sites
  • Weekly News Letter of active auction listings.
  • Hundreds of FREE online auction catalogs & books.
  • Weekly YouTube Videos
  • Help with valuing and identifying objects you own or are considering buying.
  • Blogs
  • A FORUM to exchange and share objects and get opinions and me others.
  • Museum collections links .
  • Auction results
  • and much more.

Start on our HOME page, check the drop down BOX section for links to everything. Simple and EASY.

For advanced users. We have pages of almost FREE additional content.

The Bidamount Global Auction Member Pages

chinese porcelain auctions

Hand selected listings from the six most important auction sources on the web.

Updated every fews days as things sell and appear.

We say almost free, as we charge a modest Fee of $4 a month to cover the costs for this section of the site. We kept it down to 13 cents a day. TO learn MORE CLICK HERE

  • Independent Pages For Each Of the Major Auction Platformsfeaturing hundreds of good to fabulous hand selected listings.
  • CONTENT: Including Chinese porcelain and pottery, bronzes, jades, paintings, scholars objects, rugs, carpets and silks. Japanese and Korean objects from every category and occasionally Middle Eastern Asian influenced art.
  • Auction Results, hundreds of completed auction items and what they realized linked to where and who sold them.
  • FAKES: Post auction images of NOTORIOUS Fakes and Copies Sold At Auction.
  • Auctioneer REPORT CARD. A sortable and searchable list of over 300 auction houses and how we rate them on an "A" through "F" grade system, with comments by us on each company. A handy quick reference before spending a dime.
Buying Chinese Porcelain: Avoiding Internet Auctions Of FAKES

A Few Words About eBay, Liveauctioneers, invaluable and Bidsquare?

These four auction platforms are just that, they are platforms only and have no control over the content placed on their sites. Basically they are like a big shopping malls, with many stores paying rent and selling what they want. The "Mall Management" has no say over whats being sold unless it's dangerous and/or poses a threat of physical harm. They have no experts to vet or authenticate what is being sold.

They are well run, use good technology and are great venues for those who know exactly what they are doing.

In closing it's not all doom and gloom, the information and advice you need is out there. You can still buy and not risk being taken by applying common sense, taking advantage of available resources and most importantly taking your time.

How valuable are you vintage Barbie dolls?

  The Guide to Vintage Barbie Dolls Blonde #1 Boxed Barbie. Sold for $6,600 via Morphy Auctions (April 2013). Estimated Reading Time:  11 mi...