How to identify old postcards
Learn how to identify old postcards using front, back, publisher, stamp box, postmark, RPPC clues, subject, and condition.
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Learn how to identify old postcards using front, back, publisher, stamp box, postmark, RPPC clues, subject, and condition.
Auction records are market evidence, not a final appraisal. Condition, authenticity, provenance, completeness, edition, grading, and demand can materially change value.
Quick checklist
- Photograph the full item, front and back, marks, dates, edition or issue details, signatures, labels, and condition.
- Keep jackets, sleeves, inserts, maps, plates, certificates, receipts, envelopes, albums, and related paperwork together.
- Note tears, stains, fading, missing pages, tape, trimming, repairs, odors, writing, water damage, restoration, and framing changes.
What similar items actually sold for
To help ground this guide in real market activity, here are recent example auction comps from Appraisily’s internal database. These matched sales are market context only, not an object estimate or identification, and they do not guarantee a price for your specific real photo postcard.
Shown USD range: USD 10-USD 1,400. Median of these 8 USD examples: USD 55.
| Comparable | What sold | Auction house | Date | Lot | Source-reported amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
WWI Imperial German Real Photo Postcard | Kraft Auction Service | 2023-01-08 | 1809 | USD 10 |
 |
John A. McCurdy 1911 Real Photo Postcard | Grant Zahajko Auctions, LLC | 2020-04-23 | 124 | USD 70 |
 |
Real Photo Postcard Deer Trophies | Matthew Bullock Auctioneers | 2026-02-22 | 634 | USD 30 |
 |
Willard-Johnson Real Photo Postcard | Weiss Auctions | 2025-02-11 | 137 | USD 100 |
 |
St. Joe Real Photo Postcard (119958) | Holabird Western Americana | 2020-12-19 | 3402 | USD 10 |
 |
Real photo postcard hand inscribed in black ink | Davidson Auctions | 2007-10-28 | 33 | AUD 450 |
 |
Indianapolis Clowns "Negro American League Champions" real photo postcard c.1952. | Hunt Auctions | 2024-11-16 | 430 | USD 1,400 |
 |
Daugherty Wingwalkers Real Photo Postcard | Grant Zahajko Auctions, LLC | 2020-04-23 | 140 | USD 40 |
 |
ECKERT, Jack (1874-1937). Real photo postcard of Happy Jack... | Potter & Potter Auctions Inc. | 2022-04-30 | 56 | USD 90 |
How these auction records were verified
Each row retains its exact source URL, lot identity, retrieval time, access result, and immutable record hash. Live source access was blocked; the exact record matched Appraisily's immutable pipeline provenance. Inspect the public comparable provenance record.
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