Friday, February 8, 2013

Post Cards from the edge...I thought they were form the edge. But disappointingly they were no where near it. About two months ago I was working this absolutely fabulous auction with a good friend. Unfortunately as in most cases, the people handling the estate usually do not want to have anything to do with what was left behind., Sometimes this is a mix of feelings and complicated by their own geographical location. So as an estate dealer I am often left to sort through ribbon tied love letter written by sweethearts sent to war or just notes from family trips that occurred long before texting and free long distance phone calls. 

The history of postcards are not as complicated. Post Cards are the third largest collectible only surpassed by stamp and coin collecting. Because postcards cross different subject matters they have what is called more "Crossover" value.

Post cards are also fairly easy to grade, the most  common scale for grading is below.

Grade 1 – Nearly perfect Postcard, unused. The corners of this postcard are perfect or very close to perfect. There is no writing or postal markings on front or back of postcard.

Grade 2 – Nearly perfect corners and is postal used. This postcard could have writing and be Postal used on front or back. A postcard in this condition is based on having perfect or nearly perfect corners.

Grade 3 – Has minor faults such as minimal corner wear and; or minimal edge wear. Some yellowing may exist from age or from being in album. This Postcard may or may not be Postal used. There are no creases so this card is generally in nice condition.

Grade 4 – Has more faults than Grade III. This postcard shows more corner wear and; or has minor creases. This card could be lightly soiled and could be or may not be Postal used.

Grade 5 – Is a lower grade postcard and has more faults than Grade IV. This postcard is damaged with a bad crease and wear. A postcard in this condition would be chosen for its image view only to later be upgraded. 


Finally some great web pages with information on collecting post cards as well selling;

 

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