Postcards: Then and Now

The very first postcard was sent somewhere in the second half of the 19th century. The message on the postcard was kept short and crisp as they were sent without any envelopes. On one of the leaves of this paper would be a  picture of a memorable moment or a place (or a thing). The flip side is divided into two. One part is used for writing the address of the receiver, and the other is a blank space to rewrite the text. Over the years, postcard designs have evolved a lot. So much so that some versions of them are still used by people to communicate and send memories.

The history

In the second half of the 19th century, postal cards were introduced by many countries in one go. Before this, several government regulations against it had led to the idea being left on the back burner for a long time. With the advent of time, they were nationalized, and only the government would issue the same. 

The privatization of postcards happened as recently as in the last decade of the century. The privatization of printing led to a revolutionary decision on determining its rate, which was set at one cent. This, at that time, was mainly first of its kind because it matched the rate that was set by government postal. Printing postcards was an evolution that tapped into an entirely new customer base.

Back then, postcards had a different design where only one side of the card was reserved for writing while the other side carried relevant details like the address. Soon enough, countries began to approve designs where the rear side was divided horizontally, setting a milestone for what would continue even today. Since then, postcards gained more popularity and began to be used and sold in millions.

Modern-day postcards

We are presently living in the digital age. Time of information and data coupled with fast-paced digital delivery of service and communication. However, it is interesting to note here that despite the digital evolution, postcards have undergone many different phases over the years and have adapted to suit the changing scenarios. With the advancements in technology, the postcards presently in use in the US are photochrome cards. These are glossier, colorful, better looking, and longer-lasting. 

In spite of the prices going up to over 20 cents presently, the demand for them has not faded. People still like to send postcards to their loved ones. Moreover, collecting postcards has become a cherished hobby and goes by the name Deltiology. With modern designs, the most common occasions to send a postcard remain, holidays and greetings, of all kinds. In terms of designs, postcard printing services have taken a huge leap and are now printing modern and classic designs both on a big scale.

Common Types of postcard

Postcards over the years can be categorized into a few of the following categories-

1. View cards- These cards are the reason that collecting postcards became a cherished hobby. Wherever one travels, there is always that one place which sells postcards with beautiful images of historical buildings, streets, iconic figures, etc. Buying and sending postcards like these are reminders of the travels that one has undertaken and the adventures one has been on. They can also serve as a reflection of the culture, heritage, and society of a specified time—a perfect souvenir for a hoarder.
2. Holiday and greeting cards- These cards are used for sending greetings and best wishes for holidays and special occasions. These serve the purpose of staying in touch with your loved ones because when you are far away, a handwritten postcard could be the best gift.
3. Historical and art cards- These cards are printed for the exclusive purpose of celebrating political, societal, or cultural events. Some are even printed to commemorate wars. These usually command a premium price and are a rare collectible.

In conclusion

No matter what day and age, postcards have always been trendy. They are beautiful, artistic, and now with the advances in technology and postcard printing services, can be personalized to a great extent. Send your family some love today!