Postcards - Postally Used or Unused

[Michael Peich]

Good question, Ken, and I'm with you since I enjoy reading comments on postcards, like this one on the front of one of my favorite series. It is postmarked Oct. 12, 1907, the day after the Cubs swept the Tigers 5-0 in the World Series. The downside of postally used is that the postmark can often be applied in a most unfortunate way as the Lajoie reveals.

Cheers, Mike

PS-Despite what the previous owner wrote on the back of the Grignon, the handwriting is probably not Frank Shulte's, unfortunately,

[Exhibitman]

Depends. I especially like a postmark and written info when it relates to the subject or to an event, like a little capsule of history. Like this PC:




The card shows Jim Jeffries sharpening a tool with three onlookers. The card is labeled "Rowardennan" which was the Jeffries training camp in Santa Cruz CA. It is initially postmarked in June 1910 and recites how "the big fellow is getting better every day sure thing."

Or this one, which is signed by HOFer Carlos Ortiz's manager and invites a boxing writer to an Ortiz fight in 1957:



Also makes it very hard to fake the item.

Finally, since the technical grade of the item is less than good when written on and postmarked, it also often means you can score the card on the cheap. Less money in each card means more cards for me!

[Jaybird]

I like both as well but appreciate the history associated with postmarked and written cards. Many issues we already know much about, but much of what we know about known issues is due to finding an example which has been postally used. So, those that have been written and postmarked are really research gems and that's one of the aspects of the hobby that really gets me going.

The postcard below would likely have been not too hard to research through the records of the company and the age range of the subject, etc. but the postmark and writing surely help to make an easy task and complete the picture.

[Fred]

I like postally used. The post card may be worn becuase it was circulated but (to me) seeing the postage canellation brings the card to life.