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Art of correspondence
By Nancy Malcom
Nevada Daily Mail
Vernon County postcard collectors met Thursday at the Methodist church to show, trade, sell and talk about postcards.
Ralph L. Clark said, "We don't have a real club or organization. We first got together about a year and a half ago. I have some people on an e-mail list that have shown an interest in postcards in this area and let them know when we are getting together. If we have five or six show up that's average.
"Some people drive almost 100 miles to get here," said Lyndon Irwin with a chuckle. Irwin lives near Springfield.
"A lot of people collect postcards because of their historical value," said Clark. "It's another thing to collect. There was one recently that sold for $37,000."
Clark explained that most collectors start with one type of postcard in mind. "Most people collect around specific themes, either areas, time frames, etc. I got started with KC Union Station cards. When I couldn't find any new ones of those, I started branching into something else. I've also collected communities that I've lived in.
"It's not difficult to find postcards. Estate auctions, flea markets, etc., and there are organized clubs in Kansas City, Springfield, St. Louis and Wichita. Up to 20 dealers may be at any show. They come from all over the country to show their cards."
Some cards are considered more collectible than others. "Overall, the real-photo cards are the most collectible," said Clark. "In the early 1900s families and communities would have postcards made featuring actual photos on one side of the card."
Irwin said, "I use them for illustrations in books. Sometimes you can't find just a regular photo you need" Irwin continued with a story about a lucky find at a card show in Wichita. "Ralph was there too and told me he had seen some Bronaugh cards in a box for sale. I checked it out and found a real photo card of the home where my wife's grandparents lived about 1912 vintage. It was just a house and was priced quite low. That was a fun find."
Like most collectors, postcard enthusiasts enjoy the search as much as the final acquisition.
Determining monetary value of the postcards depends on the buyer's preference. Some like cards that have never been used, while others prefer a card that has been postmarked.
"I would say ones never used are more valuable," said Clark, "but some collect only those with postmarks, particularly if they were postmarked on trains."
"A postmark helps date the cards," Irwin said. "For a beginner that is the easiest way." Clark added, "The type of card can help estimate the date. And the way the stamp box looks, that dates them too."
"Private mailing cards predates postcards and were in use until 1905 or 1906. Mostly they are like an artist hand-drawn type card, not photos," Clark said.
Anyone with an interest in postcard collecting is welcome to attend the next time the group meets. For more information contact Ralph L. Clark at www.clarkdomain.net. or e-mail him at rclark55@clarkdomain.net or call him at (417) 667-2557.