Post Card Questions?
Hi! This is where you can post your questions about post cards and we will try to answer them. If you can describe them, or if you can post a picture of them somewhere, then we will have a better idea as to what you are asking.
Remember, a lot of the value of the post card depends on its condition. If you have a post card that is without staining, tearing, folds, crackling, peeling, or writing on the front, then that card is considered to be in good to excellent condition. It does not matter in post cards whether the backs were written on or not. It does matter if someone wrote over the picture. It does not matter if it has a postage stamp on it and was sent through the mail as long as the postmark is not on the front (and, depending on the card, that could not matter as well). What matters is the post card itself, the condition it is in, and if anyone famous wrote on it, was mailed it, or sent it; and the message on the back. That's what determines condition.
Another good source for post card answers is books at the library. They can give you ideas as to the values, but they cannot give you a good idea as to the real condition of your post card. Also, remember that book prices are usually centered around big city collecting: Brevard County does not count as "big city". The prices in books may be a bit higher than you would be able to get around here. Just like with cars, houses and food; it's the cost of living index that helps determine post card value in certain areas.
So, if you have a question, ask away and we will see what we can do to help. And if we cannot help via this forum, please feel free to stop by our Club one day and let one of our knowledgeable members take a look. The meeting is the first Sunday of every month at the Florida Historic Research Library, 435 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village at 2 p.m. (if there is an event, we move to the Cocoa Library). Come by and check us out!
Remember, a lot of the value of the post card depends on its condition. If you have a post card that is without staining, tearing, folds, crackling, peeling, or writing on the front, then that card is considered to be in good to excellent condition. It does not matter in post cards whether the backs were written on or not. It does matter if someone wrote over the picture. It does not matter if it has a postage stamp on it and was sent through the mail as long as the postmark is not on the front (and, depending on the card, that could not matter as well). What matters is the post card itself, the condition it is in, and if anyone famous wrote on it, was mailed it, or sent it; and the message on the back. That's what determines condition.
Another good source for post card answers is books at the library. They can give you ideas as to the values, but they cannot give you a good idea as to the real condition of your post card. Also, remember that book prices are usually centered around big city collecting: Brevard County does not count as "big city". The prices in books may be a bit higher than you would be able to get around here. Just like with cars, houses and food; it's the cost of living index that helps determine post card value in certain areas.
So, if you have a question, ask away and we will see what we can do to help. And if we cannot help via this forum, please feel free to stop by our Club one day and let one of our knowledgeable members take a look. The meeting is the first Sunday of every month at the Florida Historic Research Library, 435 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village at 2 p.m. (if there is an event, we move to the Cocoa Library). Come by and check us out!
I am a collector of many Florida items, I have a postcard dated Feb. 25th,1913 from Cocoa.It is a photo of 2 men laying under a stringer of fish (app.15'long) and 1 man standing.There is water in the background.Any information would be helpful
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Hi!
Well, you pretty much know where the pic was taken (or at least where they say it was taken), what the picture is of (unless you're looking for what kinds of fish are on the stringer), and that sort of thing. What specific info were you looking for? I don't know what to tell you because I don't know for certain what you are asking.
My best suggestion is to come to a Space Coast Post Card Club meeting, or come to our Nov. 13th Show in Eau Gallie at the Shriner's Temple on Eau Gallie Blvd. We have many knowledgeable members who can give you more information about that particular card, or similar cards. So coming to a meeting would be a good idea.
From the information provided, all I can tell you in addition is that not all pictures were taken where they are labeled as being taken. For instance, there is someone in our Club who has the same picture on two different postcards; one picture labeled as being taken in (for instance) St. Pete, the other in Miami. That sort of thing happened all the time in the post card industry. Same pic: different labels. Not uncommon. There is also the conflicting information of labeling a string of fish as "a string of flounders" and on an identical post card said to be from a different area as "a string of snook". That also happened all the time.
The card's value is, of course, determined by -- among other things -- 1) Rarity: if the card is extremely rare (like alligator border post cards), they are more valuable. 2) Condition: if the card is in perfect or near perfect condition, it will be more valuable; with or without being sent through the mail. 3) Age, to a certain extent: new post cards are not as collected nor as collectible as older post cards and not all old post cards are going to be worth much. For instance, a greeting card ("Miss you", "Thinking of you", "Happy Birthday", etc.) from 1910 with a divided back (line down the middle) in good condition without a famous artist's work on it, would be worth between 25¢ and about $5.00, depending on its condition, gel or no gel, etc. An original Alphonse Mucha greeting card in good condition would be worth somewhere closer to $800-$1,500; Mucha being a famous artist.
From what I am reading of your post card, the card itself would probably be valued at between $1 and $10; depending upon those things listed above, and whether someone locally famous signed and sent it or received it. There could be something that would make your card worth more (if it was sent by the King of England and received by someone locally; or something like that), but without seeing it in person, few people can give you an approximate value anything closer than what I have done.
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