How to Collect Americana Postcards

Americana postcards depict a simpler time of homemade apple pie, baseball in the backyard, and nightly dinners around the table. The popularity of collecting Americana postcards largely stems from the sentimental longing for this part of history. The postcards also feature random samplings of life, and portray the culture and character across time in America.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find a safe place to keep the postcards. Acid-free picture boxes work wonderfully and can be purchased at any craft store.

2. Think about what kinds of Americana postcards to collect. Many people focus on a time period in history or on a certain group of people such as Black Americana, while still others collect anything related to Americana.

3. Join a chat group that focuses on postcard collecting. Talk about postcard pricing and good locations to find rare postcards. Ask members to share their postcard collecting experiences.

4. Look at online auction houses. Watch a few auctions to get an idea of the selling price of Americana postcards of interest. Bid on postcards and choose ones that are meaningful or elicit fond memories.

5. Talk to relatives about old postcards they may have stashed away. Help him go through old boxes looking for postcard treasures.

6. Go to flea markets, thrift stores or hobby conventions. Bring a business card with your name and contact info to swap with other collectors.

7. Consider displaying favorite postcards in picture frames. They are interesting, creative and usually inexpensive art.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to collect and save Americana postcards, invest storage materials that protect cards over time.