Postcards have been a staple of American communication for decades, offering a simple and effective way to send brief messages while sharing glimpses of the country’s vast and varied landscapes. It took several years for postcards as we know them today to evolve. After battling the obstacles of colour, regulation, and size, postcard manufacturing exploded in the late 1800s and 1900s, narrating a story of innovation, evolving postal regulations, and a society eager for affordable ways to stay in touch.
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The Origin Of Postcards In The USA
Before postcards were invented, people used to send cards through mail with attached postage. As these are not postcards, they are called mailed cards. But in 1869, everything changed when Austria issued its first postcard. This novel idea soon travelled to America, and an entirely new medium for communication emerged.
The American Congress passed a bill on June 8, 1872, allowing the government to produce postcards. In the following year, on May 1, 1873, the first government-issued postcard was issued. These early postcards were plain and utilitarian, with a blank space for a message on one side and the address on the other. According to the law, government postcards were allowed to be labelled as “Postal Cards.” However, private companies were still allowed to produce postcards, but they were twice the price of the government’s postcards.
Rise Of Private Postcard Mailing Period
No sooner than later, on May 19, 1898, Congress passed an act allowing private players to issue postcards with the statement “Private Mailing Card.” This brought the cost of private postcards from 2 cents per postcard to 1 cent per postcard. However, the layout of the postcards remained the same; messages were not allowed on the address side. The front side of the postcard had an image with little space for a message or no image but more room for a message.
Fast-forward to 1901. According to the Postmaster-General’s issued Post Office Order No. 1447, private postcards can be “Post Card” instead of private mailing cards. However, the layout of the postcard remained the same, and by this time, most of the postcards had images. This left little to no room for the message.
Golden Age Of Postcard
The early 20th century is often regarded as the “Golden Age” of postcards in the United States. Postcards became immensely popular during this period as a means of communication and as collectibles. Advances in printing technology, combined with changes in postal regulations, helped spur the postcard production and use boom.
In 1907, the U.S. Postal Service revised its regulations for postcard design, introducing the “divided back” format. This design featured a division on the back of the postcard: one side for the message and the other for the address, which gave more space for personal notes and made postcards even more practical. The divided back also meant that the entire front of the postcard could be devoted to an image, fueling the production of visually stunning postcards. Postcards with images of cities, natural landmarks, local attractions, and holiday greetings flooded the market during this time.
Socio-Economic Impact
Postcards had a significant socio-economic impact by democratising communication. They provided an affordable and accessible way for people from various social classes to stay in touch, share experiences, and express sentiments. The low cost of postage (typically one cent) made postcards a practical option for those who couldn’t afford more expensive letters. Moreover, postcards stimulated local economies by promoting tourism and helping small businesses advertise through custom cards.
Postcards as Collectibles and Souvenirs
The postcard craze of the early 1900s wasn’t just about sending quick notes; postcards became highly sought-after collectibles. People often kept albums filled with postcards they had received from friends, family, or even strangers. Postcards further became the preferred souvenirs for tourists. As Americans began to travel more, postcards allowed them to share messages of their travel with their family and friends. Postcards of famous American landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and Mount Rushmore, became especially popular. This further led to the rise of postcard collecting, known as “deltiology,” which became a widespread hobby, with some enthusiasts amassing thousands of cards.
Podcast In The Modern Era
Today, postcards are still enjoyed by collectors and tourists alike. Their appeal endures, even in the age of instant digital communication, because they offer something tangible—a keepsake from a special place, a personal note from a distant friend, or a piece of art on paper. While the use of postcards for regular communication has diminished, they remain a beloved medium for those who appreciate their nostalgic charm.
