Vintage Christmas Postcards
A gorgeous and popular collectable, vintage Christmas postcards (called antique postcards too) come in all genres and appeal to any taste.
Everything from quirky Coca-Cola adverts to roadside America with its familiar images of old-fashioned diners and Route 66 can be snapped up to be the highlight of any collection...
And for the connoisseur: Vintage postcards.
Vintage postcards are a great alternative to the generic drug store card, and will make a person think long and hard before dumping it in the trash come January.
Characteristics of vintage Christmas postcards are youngsters frolicking in the snow, or just the smiling likeness of the man himself, Kris Kringle.
Victorian postcards put a lot of emphasis on English culture.
Roses are a recurring theme, either on their own or as a backdrop to rosy-cheeked children and ladies in the high-necked, frilly style of dress.
Sourcing Vintage Christmas Postcards
Much sought after, though, are vintage French postcards.
Many are drawn to the stylistic, old world beauty of women elaborately dressed in the classic French style of the time, accented with soft colour or almost always washed in a sepia-tone.
LightHouse
"Risque" postcards are especially prominent, with shapely women expertly posed in clingy dresses, garters, and feathered hats to provoke and titillate.
And who wouldn't recognize the colourful art nouveau ads for absinthe?
These iconic images make collectors willing to scour far corners and dig deep into their pockets just to secure one.
Owning one is practically owning a piece of history. Oldpostcards.com has a site that's very easy to navigate, and what looks like over a hundred different categories that will cater to any collector.
Got a thing for peglegs? Or really heavy people? They have vintage postcards with your name on it.
www.Vintagepostcards.com features a lengthy links section, but they also have an online store that contain only originals unless otherwise noted.
All postcards are meant to be sent out and shared, but considering the damage a rare antique postcard can do to one's wallet, many would consider it absurd to even let it see the light of day.
However, if you're feeling extra generous and want to give something truly unique, a vintage postcard will be unlike anything they've seen before and will be more than just a nice thought.
Caring For Your Antique Postcards
Due to their delicate nature, and the fact that a single crease can severely impact its value, it might be a good idea to send the antique postcard in an envelope to protect it during mailing. Read this page about selling old postcards
Father Christmas in snow
Don't hesitate to include a piece of cardboard - this keeps the postcard crisp and prevents any bending that may occur.
It helps too if you know your recipient can appreciate antique photography, so you don't get criticized for giving them what they think is a shabby old postcard. :)
Take care also to store the vintage Christmas postcard (or whichever style you decide on) properly if you don't plan to send it for a while.
Keep it out of excessive heat, in a cool, dry place with a humidity of around 45%.
Think twice about simply sticking it in a cardboard box or album, as these will most likely not be made from acid-free paper.
When postcards are stored adjacent to such paper, the acid can irreversibly discolour them and cause the cards to slowly crumble.
Your best bet is store it in a clear plastic sleeve, or even an aluminium tin. You want your postcard to last through the ages, just like it did before you bought it.
View a couple of 'almost-vintage' postcard examples below!
Magnificent homes make great (sepia) postcards
Indian children in a sepia tinted photograph
