Used vs. Unused Postcards

[Mike Ferguson]

Having started this networking site, I am opening boxes I have not gone though in over 10 years. Not only had I forgotten how large my ephemera "collection" was before I started to focus on coffee, but how varied.

I came across three postcards, two dated and 100 years old. Two have been used, though only one has a postmark, and one has not been used.

Are their collectors for both used and unused? I suppose there must be but is one type of collector more common than the other?

[Susan Mac Gregor]

Postcards collected can be used as well as used depending on the collector's preference. I collect cards on subject so i don't mind cards being used. I don't believe used cards lower the value that much, just condition. Susan

[Kyle Boyd-Robertson]

In many cases used postcard provide a wealth of information, such as the person writing ar recieving the letter is valuable for those doing genealogy, also it provides a record of where it came from and also helps date it. The postmark depending on where and when it is from may be very valuable on it's own. Most of the time what I look for in value is the condition and the rarity of the card.

[Nancy]

I like the real photo postcards to have postmarks, this way I am sure it is an old postcard and not a real photo reprint. ( I have seen many photo reprints)
The other type of postcards can be without postmarks, its hard to reprint that type card without knowing they may be reprints.

[Country Joe]

Hi, I sell a fair amount of postcards and it seems more subject than if used or unused. Majority of sales are by state / town location than anything else. People seem to like collecting the town / city the live in or where they originated from.

See ya, Country Joe

http://countryjoescollectiblestuff.com/vintage-postcards.html">Paper and Postcards

[Country Joe]

Don't know what happened to my link in last post.
Paper and Postcard Shop