Before you do anything with old postcards, check if they are worth money, because some sell to collectors for real cash. If they are not valuable, you can craft with them, frame them, donate them, or keep the ones with meaning. Postcard collecting is a real hobby, so do not toss a boxful without a look.
Old postcards sit in a sweet spot: part keepsake, part collectible, part craft supply. Here is how to sort yours and get the most from them.
Are Your Old Postcards Worth Money?
Collecting postcards is called deltiology, and certain cards bring a good price. Look for these signs of value:
- Age. Cards from before about 1920, especially the early “real photo” postcards (RPPC), are the most collectible.
- Real photo postcards. These are actual photographs printed on postcard stock, often of small towns, people, or events.
- Subject and town. Local history, train stations, Main Streets, and unusual scenes draw collectors.
- Stamps and postmarks. An old or rare stamp can add value on its own.
To check, search the card’s town and era on eBay’s sold listings, or take a stack to a postcard dealer or antique shop.
Sell Them
Sell valuable cards on eBay, at a postcard or stamp show, or through an antique dealer. Even common vintage cards sell in lots to crafters and collectors. Scan or photograph both sides, since the message and postmark matter to buyers.
Craft and Display Ideas
Cards that are not worth selling are perfect for projects.
- Frame a few as cheap, charming wall art
- Use them in junk journals, scrapbooks, and collage
- Turn them into gift tags or bookmarks
- Make a travel-themed gallery wall or a coffee-table display
This works well alongside other paper keepsakes, like old photos and old greeting cards.
Donate or Keep Them
Local historical societies and museums sometimes want postcards that show their area’s past. Teachers, collage artists, and craft groups welcome the rest. And there is nothing wrong with keeping a small bundle that means something to you, stored flat and away from sunlight so they last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are old postcards worth money?
Some are. Cards from before 1920, real photo postcards, and ones showing local history or rare stamps can sell to collectors. Check eBay sold listings for similar cards.
Where can I sell old postcards?
Try eBay, postcard or stamp shows, and antique dealers. Common vintage cards also sell in lots to crafters.
What can I do with old postcards?
Frame them, use them in junk journals or collage, make gift tags and bookmarks, donate them to historical societies, or keep the meaningful ones.
How do I know if a postcard is valuable?
Look at the age, whether it is a real photo postcard, the subject and town, and the stamp. Then compare it to sold listings online.
How should I store old postcards?
Keep them flat, out of direct sunlight, and in acid-free sleeves or a box so the ink and paper do not fade or curl.