posted on May 1, 2001 12:36:50 PM
I was surfing and stumbled onto postcards. I was so surprised to see the prices that they were selling for 9.99 for 1 card! Then I noticed many were power sellers. Im sory but I dont get it. Is the appeal the post marked date? Or just the date it was made? Anybody having else having good luck with paper items?
Lori!
posted on May 1, 2001 12:39:50 PM
I've paid over $25 for postcards (twice). A combination of the picture and the postmark is what made them interesting to me.
posted on May 1, 2001 12:52:05 PM
Lori
Its generally the subject matter of the card and the age that determine price. Most common cards will only go for $1 or 2. You definitely have to know your stuff to identify the good ones.
posted on May 1, 2001 12:55:36 PM
A lot of times the appeal is in the subject matter in the picture. Small town postcards can be especially popular as people into local history like to have images of their town from a bygone era. Older holiday postcards command very nice prices. I don't sell many postcards, but I have purchased a few from flea market vendors for a buck apiece and gotten a good $10-$15 each - and those were postcards from the 1970s!
posted on May 1, 2001 01:05:27 PMSmall town postcards can be especially popular as people into local history like to have images of their town from a bygone era.
I know someone who collects National Currency (a type of US paper money issued under the name of local banks) who would pay a pretty penny for photo postcards of the banks he has notes from.
My personal selling experiences:
I sold a bunch of cards last year, and the best sellers were those of identifiable locations- businesses especially. I sold one card with the picture of a meat packing plant for $35. Actual photo cards did well, too.
The worst sellers were newer (1950's or later, I'd guess) scenic cards.
posted on May 1, 2001 03:43:50 PM
Hi, I have been selling some postcards from
an old collection...early 1900's.
Some of the different reasons post cards are sold...including some of my reasons:
Ancestor's hometowns or farms
Your own hometown or area ( I have sold these to buyers who are giving them as gifts)
Old hurricane or tornado photos
Train stations...many sell very well
Old parks, beach or holiday hotel scenes where the buyer enjoyed summers
Businesses of your ancestors
Advertising for items you collect...like fostoria ads, beer ads or car ads.
Anything sent by your ancestor. (I found a card at an antique show that was sent from the county where I was born. It was sent by my great grandmother! I also found another of the American Legion cabin (real photo) where we visited my cousins every summer. Fond memories! I found both half way across the U.S.)
Black Americana
World Fair & Exposition cards
Many small town historical societies are buying the more unusual ones of their towns if not in their collections.
Labrat 4 GMOS
posted on May 1, 2001 05:11:33 PM
I made very good money selling color postcards with photographs of popular Quarter Horse stallions. I had a couple postcards that sold for over $50.00 each, and quite a few of them that sold for $25.00 or more. These were from a collection I had back when I was much younger. Just be careful - postcards can become very addictive! I've gotten into buying ones with scenes from my hometown and you just want to have them ALL!
posted on May 1, 2001 05:18:37 PM
I probobly am sitting on a gold mine and don't know it. I received my mother's post card collection after she passed away. There are cards in there from the 1930's I'm certain. Maybe it's time to go through that shoe box. Hmmmm....
