As some people collect postage stamps (philately) others find joy in collecting post cards, usually old ones. Post cards have been mailed since 1870s and until 1920, were the major form of communication between family members from near towns and far.
Some folks collect different categories of post cards: Real Photos, linens, artist-signed, holiday, comic and view cards are a few categories.
They may loosely be divided into broad categories: pioneer post cards, undivided-back post cards, early divided backs, white-border cards, linens and chromes. These roughly correspond to different decades. Over the next few weeks I will post some information on collecting cards and grouping them. With some very good references too.
Pioneer Cards
Supposedly the picture post card was born about 1893, with the Chicago's Columbian Exposition. They will have undivided backs (no space for anything but the address). Often there will be multiple views. The title will show as Souvenir Card or Mail card. Postage rate in US was 2 cents.
This period lasted until 1898 when the US Congress allowed private printers to produce cards. Called Private Mailing Cards, many earlier cards were reprinted to show this title.
Undivided back cards
Until 1907 cards still had only addresses printed on the backs. Many publishers put images in vignettes allowing space for message on the face. Not only were views of particular places popular, but the Post Card celebrated holidays and humor.
The golden age of post cards really begins about 1905. Paper quality and printing were superb. Embossed lithographs were phenomenal, with many of the best produced in Germany, Austria, France. The image
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