If you’re looking for a valuation on your postcards then you maybe interested in what old postcards are worth money? If you have inherited postcards passed down through the family then you can make a decision to keep them in the family or sell them. To make this decision a little easier you will need to know their current value and if this valuation is likely to increase over the years.
Sadly, most postcards are not worth anymore than a few pennies. They were produced in their millions and many remain to this day. It may sound a little strange for a postcard of more than 120-years old to have very little value but this is the case. I give old postcards away everyday, I prefer to do this than throw them away. When I complete an order I find an old postcards that has not been through the system and say ‘thank you for your purchase’ in pencil on the back. I certainly would not do this if they were valuable.
I know all this talk about worthless postcards can be very depressing but things are not all bad. Normally, in any full postcard album there are a few gems. probably no more than 5 out of a postcard album of 200. But these 5 will be where all the value is. Even the Edwardian postcard album has to be worth £5.00 to £10.00 if it’s in very good condition.
I remember buying a postcard album from a couple in Yorkshire. The album was standard fair and worth maybe £20-£50. But there was one rare postcard in there that was the star of the show. I offered £200 for the album which was accepted. £50.00 for an album of standard postcards and £150.00 for the rare postcard. The owners had no clue about this postcard and to them it was as valuable as the rest. Instead of a £50.00 valuation they got a £200 one instead!
If you have inherited an actual postcard collection put together during the last 50-years then this is a different matter altogether. Their value would depend on the subject, scarcity, condition and age. If they was a collection of real photographic street scenes of villages and small towns then you are in the money. If it’s a collection of printed churches from all over the UK then the news is not so good.
So what types of postcards are worth money? I would say anything scarce where there are not many examples to be found. Harry Houdini the escape artist comes to mind. His postcards are very collectable. It could be a postcard with an unusual subject like ‘charcoal burning’ in the New Forest. Titanic postcards always bring in the money but not all of them. The postcards that were published after the disaster could be worth around £20-£30 each. The Titanic being built in Belfast or departing Southampton would easily bring £200-£300 each.
Many postcards have a big following such as A.R. Quinton who was an artist and covered most of the British Isles. There are dedicated clubs who revisit the places where he painted. I don’t collect them myself but can certainly appreciate why collectors do. Some of them are highly sought after and with each postcard being numbered you will find these collectors at fairs with their folders at hand. These miniature paintings can be picked up for just a few pounds and upwards so they are great to collect for anyone on a budget. It’s likely that you will find a Quinton postcard in any standard postcard album.
If you have postcards for sale, either a collection or album, even if it’s just a handful then just take some photographs on your mobile and send them to us via the WhatsApp free image sharing app. You will find the details on the Contact Us page. We will provide you with a free, no obligation valuation.
