Three Creative Ways to Upcycle Vintage Postcards
- Glass Paperweight Turn a blank glass paperweight ( $9, behrenbergglass.com) into a custom desk accessory with a few simple materials. ...
- Double-Sided Wood Tile Puzzle Between the one-cent stamps and ornamented type, the reverse side of a vintage postcard can be just as interesting as the front—naturally, this double-sided puzzle features both. ...
- Canvas Zip Pouch ...
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Here's what you'll find in this article:
- Scrapbook.
- Decoupage.
- Hanging them up.
- Pin board.
- Wrapping paper.
- Note book.
- Home decor.
- Origami.
What can I do with my old postcards?
How to sell old postcardsStep 1 - Store your postcards properly. ... Step 2 - Research the value of your cards. ... Step 3 - Visit vintage markets & postcard fairs. ... Step 4 - Trade with a postcard dealer. ... Step 5 - List your items on eBay. ... Step 6 – Offer postcards for sale at auction. ... Step 7 - Sell to an auction house outright.More items...
Are old unused postcards worth anything?
An easy-to-read early postmark can indicate a card that is worth more than average. Postmarks made by machines that no longer exist, or from unusual places, can add value. Fancy cancels, such as a hand-drawn cancel, can add anywhere from $10 to hundreds of dollars to the value of a postcard.
How do I display old post cards?
With a little creativity, you'll find there are a million different ways you can style and display these cards from your favorite places....Floor display shelf. ... Eclectic collage. ... Frame it. ... Magnetic strip. ... Worldly wall art. ... Work them into a gallery wall. ... Reuse an old mirror or frame. ... Keep it symmetrical.More items...•
Does anyone collect old postcards?
Postcard are a popular category of collectibles, with many divisions that make it easy to find an area of interest for just about anyone. A. Postcards, especially old ones, can be very collectible. People are often surprised at the high prices some can command.
Can you make money selling postcards?
People will pay good money for a postcard they can't get from anywhere else. Because of this, postcards should sell especially well on marketplaces that thrive on rarity like Etsy and eBay.
How much is a 1907 post card worth?
between $75 and $100They're from 1907, and this card is worth between $75 and $100.
What makes a postcard valuable?
The value of old postcards is affected by many variable factors, but demand, condition and rarity often have the greatest influence on how much a postcard's worth.
How do you preserve and display old postcards?
In most cases, however, the easiest and safest way to store your cards is to place each postcard in its own individual archival polyethylene bag or protective sleeve that is just slightly larger than the postcard itself (to prevent stressing the card while inserting or removing it).
Do people collect postcards?
Deltiology is one of the most popular types of collecting. Postcards are usually valued in proportion to their age and rarity of their subject.
What are the most sought after vintage postcards?
15 Most Valuable Vintage Postcards Worth a FortuneNo.NameValuation1PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973). “EL CIEGO”, Barcelona, 1903$95,0002HOWARDENA PINDELL (1943- ) Oval Memory Series$80,0003The Patty Asker Nickel Tour Postcard Collection$60,0004Artist's postcard 'Female nude, reclining sideways.'$59,00011 more rows
How much do postcards sell for?
Sending a postcard is an extremely affordable way to communicate when you're using the U.S Postal Service—regular postcards cost only $0.44 to mail!
Are real photo postcards worth anything?
Real photo postcards – black-and-white, with no printed dot pattern – are one of today's hottest farm collectibles. Unusual examples often bring bids of $25 to $100 or more from serious collectors.
Where is the best place to sell postcards?
Where To Sell Postcards (Online Options)Sell Old Postcards. Sell Old Postcards is one of the best places to sell your pre-1945 postcard collections if you want to keep things simple. ... eBay. ... Cardcow.com. ... Cherryland Postcard Auctions. ... Mercari. ... Regency Antique Books. ... Etsy.
How much do postcards sell for?
Sending a postcard is an extremely affordable way to communicate when you're using the U.S Postal Service—regular postcards cost only $0.44 to mail!
Are real photo postcards worth anything?
Real photo postcards – black-and-white, with no printed dot pattern – are one of today's hottest farm collectibles. Unusual examples often bring bids of $25 to $100 or more from serious collectors.
Are leather postcards worth anything?
Most leather postcards are not valuable. The sale prices for individual cards were low on eBay, and many were not selling. Some large lots were selling for $50 and more.
Glass Paperweight
Turn a blank glass paperweight ( $9, behrenbergglass.com) into a custom desk accessory with a few simple materials. All you need is a postcard (you can use an original, but a printed scan works just as well) and adhesive; we suggest Judikins Diamond Glaze ( $6.99, amazon.com) or Mod Podge ( $2.99, michaels.com).
Double-Sided Wood Tile Puzzle
Between the one-cent stamps and ornamented type, the reverse side of a vintage postcard can be just as interesting as the front—naturally, this double-sided puzzle features both. You can use original postcards, but a printed scan works just as well and offers the option to make any size you'd like.
Canvas Zip Pouch
Printable inkjet canvas paper ( $8.49 for five sheets, amazon.com) allows you to transform a postcard into a sewable material that still evokes paper. Scan the front and back of a postcard, and enlarge so the longest edge is eight inches wide. Print both pieces and cut out, then join the two top edges with a seven-inch zipper.
What to Do With Postcards: Get Crafty
Have loads of postcards from previous trips? Get crafty and recycle or upcycle your old postcards for a creative project such as:
What to Do With Postcards: Keepsakes and Souvenirs
Some people collect postcards as a take-home reminder from their holiday, and they make excellent souvenirs. For others, this section could be about collecting and storing postcards you have received from friends and family. The best ideas for storing your postcards could include:
What to Do With Postcards: Timeless Treasures
If you have lots of vintage postcards or valuable ones, then you will probably need storage that will protect as well as keeping them neat and tidy. As we previously mentioned, photo albums can be a great way to keep your collection organised or you could store them in labelled boxes if you have lots.
1. Scan & store them on your computer
If you really want to keep them, scan them—they’ll take up much less room. Create folders on your computer, like “2011 Christmas,” or just “2011” for all letters received then, or maybe “Schmidt Family” for all letters received over the years from a specific family.
2. Tuck them in your scrapbook or journal
I like combining letters with my own stories, because they offer different perspectives to life events.
3. Keep them so you can one day give them back to the writer
A couple of years ago, my grandma got a package in the mail—it was filled with about 24 letters and Christmas cards that she had written to her closest college friend over the years.
1. Repurpose them into tags & gift cards
Pretty poems and cute pictures are perfect for repurposing into gift tags. Use them year-round with your gift giving.
2. Repurpose them into scrapbook & journal embellishments
Looking for the perfect quote or pretty image for your memory keeping? Pieces from cards are perfect and readily available, especially for Christmas and weddings.
3. Repurpose card tops into postcards
Super easy—tear or cut the card in half. Recycle the half with the inside text and names; put a postcard stamp on the side with the pretty picture, and you’ve got your postcard.
4. Donate card tops
Lots of organizations, from Girl Scouts to YMCA and Kiwanis summer camp programs, can use your card tops for their craft projects all year long. Ask your local camps if they’re in need.
The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Postcards
A classic Los Angeles postcard from 1948. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.
The History of Vintage Postcards
Postcards as we know them today took a while to develop and had several different stages. The many different manifestations of postcards make it relatively simple to categorize postcards into various eras.
Your Vintage Postcard Collection
This RPPC features a scene from Keota, Iowa, in 1910 featuring Uncle Sam riding in a Studebaker during a parade. Image courtesy of PopeyesPostcards.
1. Floor display shelf
To amplify a travel vibe, try styling your postcards in a shelf similar to those tourist pamphlet ones, as seen in this Dutch home. It’s a brilliantly stylish way to bring your vacation back under your roof, and you can make one out of pegboard fairly easily.
2. Eclectic collage
Maximalists will adore creating a collage that’s as bold and vibrant as the rest of their home. This modernist example shows, too, that you can add other meaningful papers and small ephemera for a gorgeous collage if your postcards don’t cover enough surface area. Try one over a mantel or headboard.
3. Frame it
Postcards, ticket stubs, menus, and pamphlets all look much sharper when displayed in matching frames. This also makes for a great opportunity to turn your memories into a one-of-a-kind gallery wall for less.
4. Magnetic strip
Minimalists with a small, curated collection will appreciate putting one or two of their favorite postcards on display with a magnetic strip. This kind of a piece infuses a bit of personality into your space but keeps things looking neat and tidy.
5. Worldly wall art
Arranging your cards on the wall with simple tacks, like in this colorful New Jersey loft, is a surprisingly simple way to show off your postcards. It’s also a cost efficient way to incorporate wall art that doesn’t include sourcing pieces and framing them.
6. Work them into a gallery wall
If you already have a gallery wall, you can easily incorporate postcards into the mix, as seen in this maximalist home. This is the perfect way to share your favorites with visitors, who will likely stop to admire your unique collection.
7. Reuse an old mirror or frame
As seen in this NYC studio, you can repurpose something like a frame or broken mirror into the perfect postcard display. Whip up an assortment inspired by your travels and hang it next to other works of art or set it on top of a mantel.
