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Postcard Guidelines

Many people wonder about which postcard guidelines to follow. It seems there are several depending on what site you land on.

Rest assured. Nobody is trying to trick you. Most often, these guidelines are very similar in nature. It is simply a matter of wording.

On this page we will give you a set of postcard guidelines that you can follow (and yes, we have changed the wording as well).

Remember, the key word here is guidelines.

More Postcard Information!
Collecting Postcards

Postcard Condition

Postcard History

Vintage Postcards

Please keep this in mind - every postcard dealer will have their own guidelines which they use to determine the value of your collection.

Again, they may vary slightly from dealer to dealer, but the overall grading is very similar.

Make sure, before buying or selling, that you and the other party, are on the same page when it comes to these guidelines.

There should be no misunderstandings here!

And Now...

...Our Version...

...of Postcard Guidelines!

We are following a commonly used set of postcard guidelines that many, many dealers use.

(Of course, as usual, we are adding our own comments and apologize in advance to all of the professional postcard dealers for its lengthy content.)

MINT -M - The best there is! This defintion of mint means "mint" as in "printing press mint" Uh-huh! Your card must be absolutely perfect to meet this standard. No marks, creases, writing, or any other blemish...nothing!
Good luck in finding these! Many of these cards remain sealed in their original packaging. If not, preserve them carefully using acid-free corner mounts, backer boards, sleeves, etc. Protect your investment!

NEAR MINT - NM - Okay, so you can't always have the best! Near Mint is the next best! Imagine that you have a mint card (above) with perhaps, the slightest bit of fading.
BUT, only slight! Nothing more than that! Otherwise, you will be falling into another category! (below) This category can sometimes waver between "Mint" and "EXCELLENT" depending on the dealer.

EXCELLENT - EX - Most collectors would be more than happy with this grading! An excellent card implies that you have a very nice card! It may, or may not have correspondence and may, or may not have been postmarked.
Regardless, it should be clean, neat, and fresh looking on both sides of the card. Edges should be sharp with tight corners!

NOTE! If you possess cards in the above categories, then you need protect your investment! Use acid-free, archival quality products when handling, storing, displaying your valuble postcards.

Let's pause here for a moment. Chances are, unless you collect postcards professionally, you are unlikely to possess many postcards with the above grading. Your best chance of obtaining one of these cards is to attend a postcard trade show and shop with a professional postcard dealer.

Keep in mind, it is here, at the trade shows, where postcard guidelines are extremely important!

Rather, (and much more realistically), your cards will probably fall into one of the categories listed below. Sorry, but we're trying to be honest here. Postcard collecting, for most people, is simply a fun and enjoyable hobby!

Remember, our website is intended for the common collector, who perhaps found a box of postcards in their basement.

The grading scale (below) applies to most cards found at flea markets, garage sales, antique malls, and from common attic treasures.

These are great places to start a nice collection, with a minimal investment. AND, you never know what you will find out there! So start looking...keep looking!

Postcard Guidelines...continued!

VERY GOOD - VG - Once again, most collectors would be satisfied to have these in their collections.
Most of these cards have been mailed or handled in some way, but not always!
Thus, the corners may have been damaged slightly, and the card may have been slightly bent somewhere in this process. BUT, only slightly!
These cards are still worth protecting! They don't make 'em like that anymore!

GOOD - G - This is the card that you will typically find in the back of your drawer at home. Bent corners, folds, creases, some minor discoloration, and normal "wear and tear" are the norm in this grade.
Unless your postcard is extremely rare or ancient, chances are...they are not extremely valuable. (But, that's okay! Join the rest of us, because that's what most of us have at home!)

FAIR - FR - Okay, these cards are pretty well beat up! You will likely notice one or more of the following: severe discoloration, oil, grease, and "other" marks, ragged edges, severe folds...well, you get the idea!
Unless your card is a "one-of-a-kind" find, then your card is probably worth very little.
Still, even then, your card may hold sentimental value. Perhaps, it is the only card in your possession with your great-grandmother's handwriting.
...and that, folks, can be priceless!

What does all that mean to me?

The value of your collection is largely determined by it's photo content/image, it's condition, it's rarity, and it's age! While it is not neccessary to be "perfect" in all of these categories, you must have something outstanding in (at least) one of them to have a valuable card.

Unfortunately, most collections (including ours!) are of the "Fair, Good, Very Good" variety. True enough, we have a nice collection of our own, but it is hardly worth a fortune of money! (But then again, we do not follow postcard guidelines anyway...we simply buy what we like!)

Remember, even vintage postcards from the early 1900's were mass produced and widely used by the public. They remain, to this day, fairly common and can be obtained for a minimal amount of money.

Thinking about Becoming a Postcard Collector?

Start small...think big! Start with a small category of cards that interest you; perhaps you already have acquired some. Great. Add to it and upgrade your postcard collection as you go!

The internet is a great place to shop around. And so is ebay! However, we would like for you to keep in mind a couple of things here.

One, when purchasing through the internet, make sure that you are getting what you think you are. The postcard should be clearly pictured, including the corners and edges. If not, move on to another! Don't worry, there are plenty of sites to choose from.

Also, look over the website in general. Do they appear to be professional? Are postcards their only business? Read through and examine all of the shipping terms, including the return policy, (if they have one).

Same thing applies to ebay items. Understand this; not all "sellers" are alike. And, you will not likely find many listings with postcard guidelines included.

Once again, to be sure that you are getting a fair deal and a quality product, attend a trade show.

You will be able to see the postcard up close!
You will be to meet and talk with the postcard dealer!
you will likely go home satisfied and confident in your purchase!

Looking for something else?

Use this search box and you're on your way!

Random Notes...

Obviously, we can not give you a specific dollar value for your collection. Far be it of us, to even try!

Rather, it is our intent to point you in the right direction. Our goal here, was to give you some postcard tips a general set of postcard guidelines. Hopefully, you should be better informed, before you take your collection to a dealer, or list it on ebay.

Perhaps, reading through this page on postcard guidelines has accomplished that to some degree.

Our Advice?

Simple! Be prepared. Study-up! Know your collection, before you intend to buy/sell.

If you intend to seriously collect postcards, focus-in on a limited category and "master it!" Attend a postcard trade show, talk with the professionals and follow their advice!

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SBI!