Question on old postcard collecting

[BobC]

If nothing else, a PC being mailed and cancelled pretty much guarantees authenticity, right? I personally don't mind any writing on the back as much, but as mentioned by some, there will always be those who devalue a PC for having any writing on it.

[JustinD]

I personally prefer them postally used for several reasons -

• Dates the piece
• I am a retired philatelist but still love a stamp on things
• The writing can really add to the piece if it pertains to the subject
• character
• character
• and character

I am also occasionally really good at bidding on postcards and then seeing Leon post them after he beats me out, lol.

[joejo20]

I like them postmarked especially if they have a note pertaining to the image but not sure if it increases value. Here is one which pictures three T206 Players who were hired guns on this Northern Michigan Team. It is one I wish had a postmark and writing on the back so I could learn more about it.

[Exhibitman]

I don't have a problem with postal use. It can sometimes turn out to be the most interesting part. I got this one for a dollar because of the condition:




The signed note is from the HOF fighter on the card, Billy Papke, who died in 1931.

Or this one:



This 1914 French PC of Johnson is postmarked 1914 and references a fight in Paris with Frank Moran. It took place June 27, 1914 with Moran losing in 20 rounds.

[prestigecollectibles]

I'd like to find a copy of this one postmarked. PSA has graded 71 of them, yet nobody I know believes it was produced in 1934. It seems like it was produced in the 1960s or 70s, but I haven't found proof yet. As far as I know SGC won't encapsulated them.

[BCauley]

I don't have any but have dabbled in trying to research these types of things a few times. I was always curious if anybody on here was ever lucky enough to stumble upon a bunch of them at an antique mall type place before as they always seem to have a basketful full or two of old post cards.

[riggs336]

I just like reading other people's mail. This message on a Wolverine News pc starts "Dear Pauline, Are you dead or married?"

[Leon]

Originally Posted by BCauley

I don't have any but have dabbled in trying to research these types of things a few times. I was always curious if anybody on here was ever lucky enough to stumble upon a bunch of them at an antique mall type place before as they always seem to have a basketful full or two of old post cards.

I go to antique stores and places as a pastime. I have looked through thousands of postcards and don't remember any I bought. Ebay and auctions have a plethora and they are fun to collect. This one is a rather common Indian team but a very scarce type of postcard. I was surprised I had to pay 500+ for it...but I liked it! It was written on the back by one of the team too. I would pay a little more for the cancellation and writing but that is just me. (and maybe a few others LOL)

[BCauley]

Originally Posted by Leon

I go to antique stores and places as a pastime. I have looked through thousands of postcards and don't remember any I bought. Ebay and auctions have a plethora and they are fun to collect. This one is a rather common Indian team but a very scarce type of postcard. I was surprised I had to pay 500+ for it...but I liked it! It was written on the back by one of the team too. I would pay a little more for the cancellation and writing but that is just me. (and maybe a few others LOL)

That's a great looking card! I agree with you, if I ever go looking to pick one of these up, I'd prefer to have writing on the back and the cancellation. Gives it a bit more of a story.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by Leon

I go to antique stores and places as a pastime. I have looked through thousands of postcards and don't remember any I bought. Ebay and auctions have a plethora and they are fun to collect. This one is a rather common Indian team but a very scarce type of postcard. I was surprised I had to pay 500+ for it...but I liked it! It was written on the back by one of the team too. I would pay a little more for the cancellation and writing but that is just me. (and maybe a few others LOL)

Hey Leon, the card was written by James E Beltzer, the owner/manager of the team. He co-owned the team with his brother Oren "Buck" Beltzer. They purchased the team from Guy Green around 1912. I got blown out of the water on that one. Not sure who your underbidder was, but it went for about $300 more than I bid, and $300 more than any Nebraska Indians postcard has ever sold for as far as I know.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by BobC

If nothing else, a PC being mailed and cancelled pretty much guarantees authenticity, right? I personally don't mind any writing on the back as much, but as mentioned by some, there will always be those who devalue a PC for having any writing on it.

I've seen antique postcards mailed fairly recently, like maybe 10 years ago.

Some have also been reprinted out of nostalgia, and those get mailed a lot.

But in General, if it's got a stamp and cancel from 1910 then it's at least that old.