You will find a wide selection of old postcards for sale at specialist fairs, antique and collectors fairs up and down the country. Collectors of postcards always prefer to buy when they have inspected the item first hand. This gives you an advantage because you can see the condition and take the opportunity of knocking the price down a little when you say the words “What’s The best You Can Do On This?” to the dealer. The more you spend the more discount you are likely to get.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OLD POSTCARDS FOR SALE
Sadly, I have witnessed many times when someone asked the dealer for a discount on an old postcard that was just a few pounds. I feel very uncomfortable when I hear this and feel a little sorry for the dealer who is put on the spot. More often that not a dealer will not offer a discount on anything under £10.00. But there are instances where a postcard maybe overpriced in your opinion. It could be very common or the condition lets it down so it’s fair to point this out to the dealer.
You can also find old postcards for sale on the popular online auction websites. It’s a shame that many collectors who used to do the miles in their car visiting fairs up and down the country now favour armchair collecting from the comfort of their own home. The internet is probably one of the main reasons why so many specialist postcard fairs have closed. Soaring costs of the venue and many dealers passing away are other reasons. The thought of loading and unloading your car lumping heavy boxes around is just not viable anymore once age catches up with you.
As a collector I know this first hand and 40-years ago I could do an 8-hour stint searching for postcards at a fair with no break. That is dedication for you and I used to do this to ensure I got round all the dealers and searched through as much stock as possible while I had the opportunity. Time is starting to take it’s toll however and my lower back pain kicks in after a few hours and I need to take a pain killer to get me through the fair.
Another option for finding old postcards for sale is the land based auctions. I remember going to many of the Neals Postcard Auctions in Nottingham. I used to buy anything that took my fancy much to the annoyance of dealers. Many would approach me after the fair in the car park and offer me a small profit on some of the postcards I purchased. I always declined. I bought them for what they were, fascinating windows into the past and profit was not on my mind.
Thankfully, I always bought the best I could find and that means real photographic postcards and over 40-years later I am still buying them. I must say, time does mellow you in this business. I just don’t have that same obsessive attitude to fairs. Back then I knew who my competition was and made sure I stayed ahead of them at fairs so I could get first dibs. Nowadays, I spend more time relaxed, chatting to dealers and treat it as a social occasion and that suits me.