Dating old postcards uk

How old is my old postcard?

People often find themselves in possession of an old postcard and want to know how old it is. If the postcard is used, the most obvious solution is to check the date on the postmark. However, there are many vintage postcards out there that were never mailed, so here are some clues to determining the age of your post card.

How can I date a United Kingdom postcard?

United Kingdom postcards can be roughly dated from their FORMAT. Many old postcards were never posted. If they were, the posting date may be shown on the FRANK. If this is unreadable, the STAMP (if any) indicates the approximate year. Below are rules-of-thumb on dating PCs.

How to identify and date postcards?

In identifying and dating postcards there are specific eras, defined by both style and dates; however, these dates do not account for the transition from one era to the next. It is important to remember that these “Eras” refer to the printing on the back of the postcard.

Can postmark postcards have a date on them?

Postmark Postcards that have been posted may have a legible postmark. However, this date may not be the same as the date the photograph was taken.

How can I tell how old my postcard is?

The postage stamp can help you figure out an approximate age of your postcard. There may be an exact amount of how much postage required to mail the postcard printed on the back of the postcard in the stamp box. The chart below shows the postcard postage rates and may be helpful in determining the age of your card.

How old is a postcard if it has an undivided back?

If your postcard has an undivided back, it is from 1907 or earlier. Does the postcard back indicated that it was printed in Germany? Many early postcards were printed in Germany.

What is the message on your oldest postcard?

The message on my oldest postcard, which is an undivided back postcard from 1877. The first postcards were not allowed to have any form of picture. The address was on one side, and a message could be written on the reverse. This card, old and battered though it is, is clearly dated 1877. The message, translated from French, reads:

What are the best old postcards to collect?

The German cards were of exceptional quality and are some of the best examples of old postcards available. However, World War I shut down the German printing presses and cards started being printed in the United States or imported from Great Britain.

How old is my old postcard?

People often find themselves in possession of an old postcard and want to know how old it is. If the postcard is used, the most obvious solution is to check the date on the postmark. However, there are many vintage postcards out there that were never mailed, so here are some clues to determining the age of your post card.

What is a postmark on a letter?

A postmark indicates the location and date the Postal Service accepted custody of a mailpiece, and it cancels affixed postage. Since 1979, the Postal Service’s Postal Operations Manual (POM) has provided standards for postmarks applied to single-piece First-Class Mail®.

How common are postmarks on Christmas cards?

The stamps needed to cover the postage rate were also produced in vast quantities and are still very common. However, occasionally we encounter a card with a desirable postmark, such as those mailed in advance for delivery on Christmas day, in Edwardian times.

When did postcards start to have pictures on them?

The first postcards were not allowed to have any form of picture. The address was on one side, and a message could be written on the reverse. This card, old and battered though it is, is clearly dated 1877. The message, translated from French, reads: