Ephemera - How to Protect Vintage Paper Collectibles

If you either own or have inherited old paper materials such as postcards, brochures, letters, greeting cards, tickets, pamphlets, trade cards, tobacco cards, calendars or other related items, it is important to care for them properly. Even newer paper collectibles, such as all the really cute drawings your children do in school, need to be protected if you hope to turn them into treasured momentos that you can cherish for years to come.

In the antiques business, these items are referred to as "ephemera." Ephemera is written material that was only designed to be temporary. For example, once a greeting card, letter or a postcard was received and read, it was expected that it would be discarded. Even though it was suppose to be transitory, people began to save such items as souvenirs or remembrances for sentimental reasons.

When someone passed away, these old reminders of special occasions or special events were handed down to the next generation as part of that person's estate. After the passage of so many years, much of the artwork and many of the graphics that appear on some of these materials are now considered valuable.

Collecting vintage ephemera is very popular today but a lot of it is quite fragile so caution needs to be taken when either handling it or storing it. With proper care, hopefully it will be around for generations to come. Only true experts in this field have the extensive knowledge needed to successfully stop the aging process or to restore these materials. The basic recommendations listed below are a beginning and will go along way toward maintaining the present condition of any ephemera pieces you may have.

1. If you have postcards in albums, they should be removed. Cards should be separated with pieces of acid-free paper and they should be stored upright on their edges. Stacking them on top of each other could cause damage to cards that are embossed.

2. When postcards or other paper materials are stacked on their edges within a space, and they do not completely fill that space, be sure to use some sort of stabilizers or separators to keep the postcards and other paper materials in a straight up and down position. You do not want the materials to "slump" which can cause curling or bending.

3. Paper materials should be stored in a temperature of 75 degrees or less. Also, too much or too little humidity is not good.

4. Next to fire, sunlight is the biggest enemy of paper materials. It is best to keep your materials in a dark, dry and cool place such as a fireproof cabinet.

5. Do not eat or drink anywhere near your collection. Spillage of any kind could be devastating.

6. Dirt and dust can cause discoloration and even scratches so use a soft brush to dust materials.

7. Rodents and insects are attracted to some of the ingredients in paper. Even if they don't eat away at the paper, although they probably will, droppings will leave permanent stains.

8. Try to handle your materials by holding the edges unless you wear gloves. If you handle the paper too much, the oils in your skin will slowly cause erosion.

9. If you must attach a piece of ephemera to something else only use linen or paper tape and never put the tape on the front.

If you are a dealer and are selling ephemera, you probably do not have any pieces in your possession long enough to warrant taking these steps but if you have your own personal collection, it could be worth your while.

Some of these suggestions may not sound all that important but following them over the course of 10, 20 or 30 years can have a dramatic effect on the longevity of these heirlooms. Remember you can never replace theses wonderful old collectibles - time is their enemy. Do what is necessary to protect them.

Anne Benedetto is a former auction house owner and former dealer in the antiques and collectibles business. She presently provides people with important details, behind the scenes information, helpful tips and first hand knowledge of the brick and mortar auction business. Visit Anne at http://AuctionHouseTalk.com which is an interactive site where interested people can talk about the ins and outs of auctions, antiques and collectibles.

Collectibles for Life

Did you have a stamp collection as a child? A rock collection? Or, wait, was it a coin collection? All your collections are probably still with you, or maybe they're stored in your basement somewhere. You understand the joy of running across this collection later in life and reliving your joyful moments with the collection as a child.
Now, you're the parent. What types of things do you want to help your child begin collecting? Some of the things to consider when helping your child begin a collection are the feasibility, the durability, and the lovability of the collection.
Feasibility is your first step when considering beginning a collection. Collecting pieces from ancient Egyptian ruins is probably not a very feasible collection to convince your child to begin. Number one it's illegal, as well as hard to find.
Other collections such as doll or furniture collections can begin to take up more room than you have available; thus, these are not very feasible either. Determine the amount of space you can dedicate to the collection as well as the costs that will be entailed before helping your child choose a collection.
The durability of a collection is also a consideration. The great thing about collecting stamps, rocks, or coins is that these things can last a long time when stored properly. My rock collection is still in the carton that I used to store it as a child.
Figurines and porcelain dolls are other examples of lasting collectibles. One of the greatest joys involved in a collection are the memories brought back when you revisit that collection as an adult.
Finally, the lovability of the collection is important. You are helping your child begin their first collection, and you want it to be something they will love and cherish when they look back on it in the future.
These are the times that you want them to be able to look back and remember about your relationship, so make these times special. For example, if you were to collect postcards, take special postcard collecting road trips. You will get to visit unique places while increasing your child's collection.
Most importantly, always support your child's hopes, dreams, and choices. Although collecting some types of artifacts is not very feasible, lead your child in a direction that will also peak their interest and support their dreams. Finally, enjoy your child as you help them create a wonderful collection to last a lifetime!







Janet Montie, quilter and author, contributes to FS Collectibles [http://fscollectibles.com] offering free information and resources for collectors. Articles by Janet can also be viewed at The Quilt Box and First Class Fabric

Collecting Ephemera

Do you collect Ephemera (e phem er a)? You just might and don't even know it, because Ephemera refers to hundreds of hand written or printed paper items published with a short intended life span or something short-lived and without lasting significance. The word Ephemera derives from the Greek meaning of things lasting no more than a day.

Some of the most popular items that collectors classify as Ephemera are bank checks, baseball cards, billheads, bonds, brochures, business cards, calendars, cigar box labels & bands, greeting cards, invitations, labels, letters, magazines, maps, newspapers, pamphlets, paper dolls, passes, photographs, postcards, posters, stamps, posters, programs, sheet music, stocks, tickets, timetables, trade cards, trade catalogs and vintage valentines.

Some types of Ephemera such as billheads, postcards and trade cards have been appreciated for years. In fact vintage postcard collecting has been around for a very long time and is still very popular today. Some of the other items mentioned above were generally thrown out over the years. Fortunately, there has been a few collectors with the insight to put a value on things that others did not.

So take a close look at that box of old paper items found at Grandma's house. You just might find postcards sent to her by Aunt Lucy decades ago, letters your grandfather wrote overseas defending the United States, newspapers with headlines about the death of JFK, photographs she took while on vacation, and maybe even a copy of her wedding invitation.

Twenty Five years ago antique and flea market dealers could hardly give away large boxes of paper ephemera. The very best and rarest old paper items will soon disappear from the marketplace. However, new ephemera is constantly being made. So do not miss out on this small part of Americana. Don't have any Ephemera of your own? Check out our favorite place - eBay!

Find out more information about Ephemera, Collectibles and Trade Tokens at these 2 web sites http://www.most-popular-collectibles-at-auction.com and http://www.louisiana-trade-tokens.com

Learn About Postcard Ephemera

Postcards

Looking for something interesting and fun to collect? Try postcards. They're perfect for someone who wants to get "into" ephemera but doesn't know where to begin. The goal, of course, is to become a deltiologist. That's the name of someone who collects and studies postcards. But you can just enjoy your collection without knowing any of the particulars of vintage printing. Maybe you just like photos of Main Streets or travel cards from National Parks.

A brief history of postcards

The postcard was patented in 1861 by Philadelphian John P. Charlton. Charlton sold his patent. The US Postal Service, in 1873, started selling postcards printed with stamps. This gave patrons a quick way to send a short message. These were the only legal postcards made until 1898 when Congress passed a bill allowing private companies to print the cards. Within ten years of their introduction in the US, European printers began creating and marketing postcards.

It could be said that the picture postcard (PPC) was born with the passage of the Private Mailing Card Act. The PPC market expanded and the public demanded a diverse range of subjects. In fact, PPCs were so popular from 1898-1918 that many deltiologists call this the "Golden Age of Postcards". PPCs can be "dated" by various means from the most obvious (the send date), whether or not the back is divided, the presence of borders, and of course, the type of paper and ink.

Why collect postcards?

Postcards do not require very much storage space. A couple shoeboxes will hold hundreds. In the United States, the postal service requires postcards be 3.5" - 4.25" high and 5" - 6" long and no more than .016" thick. Or course, once you're hooked on collecting them, the cards may fill up your spare room and attic. It's cheap to begin a collection. Chances are, you already have a few either on your refrigerator door or in a desk drawer. No doubt your friends, family, and people at work have postcards. Odds are, unless the message is risque or too personal, they'll be more than happy to give them to you. Most homes in the Victorian Era had an album full of postcards in the parlor. Maybe you'll luck out and your MeMaw has one tucked away in a box in her attic. Also, when someone you know goes on vacation, ask them to send you postcards of their destination. See? You already need a shoebox to hold the cards, don't you? Vintage postcards are relatively inexpensive when compared to other items. Think of the cost of Rookwood pottery versus postcards. Or autographs of famous 18th century politicians... Vintage postcards can sell for hundreds of dollars, though. The most popular ones are holiday related, especially Halloween and Christmas cards from the early 20th century. Cards are frequently reprinted so it pays to learn about what's vintage and what's not from online sources or books about postcards. Price guides are available. You can learn something from your collection. Postcards are historical documents as well as present day chronicles. Trace the evolution of handwriting through the messages, check out interesting stamps (you might even become a philatelist), or compare photos of towns in 1915 to those of 2008. Document urban sprawl. You can tailor your collection to fit other interests. If you're also a Trekkie, there are Star Trek postcards. For those who collect military memorabilia, there are numerous possibilities from personal cards sent home from the troops to picture postcards of towns in which they served. How about postcards of landmark buildings? Or of your hometown? Frame postcards for an instant art gallery.

Go ahead. Start your search. Check your home for postcards. Tomorrow, at work, ask around and see if anyone there will bring you some cards. Call your Mom or your MeMaw and ask if they have an album from yesteryear. Shuffle through some collectibles websites and see if any particular topic interests you. Holiday postcards? Cats? Dogs? Airplanes? Chances are, there's a postcard for just about everything.

Val MacEwan, perhaps best known for helping folks buy ephemera, is also an administrator of the Ephemera Network, a leading forum covering the subject of Ephemera.

What You Should Know About Vintage Postcards

There are many people who like vintage postcards, and even more who tend to collect them; some of them are not avid collectors, but they tend to buy postcards from the places they visit and keep them forever. Those who are lucky enough to travel a lot end up with huge and very nice collections. Some of them can be very unique, especially when featuring places that do not exist anymore, or are not as they used to be.

There are though the professional vintage postcards collectors who follow auctions or search in antique and specialised retail shops for their pieces of art. There are though many scams and many traps related to postcards collection, so let's take a look at some of them. Here is what you should be aware of, when building a postcard collection.

Postcards sold in auctions need to be evaluated prior to buying. When it comes to the term old, opinions may vary. Some auctioneers tend to increase prices too much, justifying the high starting price with the age of the postcard. The opinion of other people is not to be trusted especially when you spend a small fortune to buy your cards.

As with all vintage items, such as classic records and musical instruments, there are cases and boxes specifically designed for vintage postcards. When buying an album you should be very careful because there might be some unexpected problems, especially when you are a beginner. Cut out hinges and sharp edges could prove to be really problematic. Corners of postcards tend to get cracked or creased with time, so you need to make sure that the album you buy can actually keep the postcards in perfect condition. If you are buying an already made album, you need to make sure that the postcards are in good condition and safely preserved, otherwise their value might drop significantly.

Sturat is article marketer, copywriter and enjoys writing on topics like Vintage Postcards and Classic Records. For more information on these topics , please visit us.

Postcard Collecting and Exchange

Postcards come in different sizes and there are so many types to collect. There are therefore different categories and some people choose to collect as many as possible while others prefer to limit their collection according to specific requirements.

There is a wide variety of card types: animal cards have pictures of animals on them, and view cards show scenery of cities and places. Other postcards include flower cards, paintings cards, limited edition, set or special event cards, public announcement cards, comic or cartoon cards, free advert cards, etc. It is up to you to choose whether or not you want to collect as many as you can get your hands on, or if you would like to collect one type of category that is closer to your field of interest.

Although some people collect purely for fun and for the sake of getting a hobby, postcard collection like any other item can also be a business-hobby. More than a handful of collectors have been lucky enough to obtain rare and invaluable postcards. Such examples include genuine vintage cards that were made decades or even centuries ago and cannot be replicated.

Other valuable cards include those that are considered limited-edition and are only available in certain events, like the Olympics of a specific year, or celebrating the turn of a millennium and cards from a country that has changed name, unified, etc. The condition of the postcard is also very important when determining its value. If it is in an excellent or mint condition, the seller can increase its price. Some buyers are interested in torn postcards or cards in bad condition as someone's trash may be another's treasure.

There are printed postcards, which are the most common. However, there are also laminated cards, glossy cards and photo cards. The most creative however are the handmade postcards and it is the most unique as artists carefully spend time ensuring that the quality and content of the card is worthy of selling
.
Some collectors prefer unused and unwritten postcards. These are postcards that have been normally store-bought purely for the purpose of exchange and these are mainly for viewcard collectors who exchange cards with other collectors from different places and countries. However, there are many postcard collectors who prefer stamped and written cards, as they prefer the date, a piece of history and sentiment on the card.

Whatever a collector's preference, there are postcard categories for everyone and the types are practically unlimited. Postcards can be stored anywhere as long as there is not too much humidity and heat (as they are made using paper card in most cases). Have fun and enjoy postcard collecting!


Sabrina Sabino - Internet Enthusiast

Postcards, Postcards Everywhere, Yet Not One Drop Of Ink

It is difficult to talk about postcard collecting in anything other than generic terms unless we get specific. This is not because postcard collecting is a vague subject. It is because it is a VAST subject.

There are literally thousands of niche subjects to choose from. Then there are the niches within niches.

Where postcards are concerned, what you decide to immerse yourself in is very much a matter of personality and personal interests. Forinstance, you may decide that you are interested in collecting "Railway" postcards. Or you may think that "Signed Artist" postcards is the way to go. Ah yes. But which railway postcard era?

Which artist or artists?

Sooner or latter you just have to make a decision and leap in. That is the beauty of postcard collecting. Although it covers an awful lot of acreage, once you decide to knuckle down to a particular subject (or two), you will become very focused.

I started by collecting old photograph postcards. Any old photo postcards, just because they were real photo's and they were old. But as time went on, I became more selective and chose only cards between the two World Wars. Photo postcards containing people in their normal walks of life. But you can choose anything you like and you are not limited to just one subject or niche.

I know someone who collects seaside postcards. No, not those naughty ones. Not that there is anything wrong about collecting naughty seaside postcards, but the person I am talking about collects only seaside postcards that have a pier in them. So you see just how focused you can become if you wish.

There can be no doubt that whatever you choose to collect, you will find this hobby thoroughly absorbing and you will be amazed at how knowledgable you can become in your chosen subject.

Another advantage of this hobby, and not one to be dismissed in these days of financial downturn, is the very reasonable prices you need pay. You can easily add to your collection for ?1 per card. Often a lot less. It will depend on your sources and of course, the condition of a card will play its part. The better the condition, the more you pay, is the general rule. Some people not only don't mind a card with writing on the reverse - they actually prefer it. And why not? 'Whatever turns you on', is the name of this game. But personally I like them with not one drop of ink - when I can get them, that is.

I should mention that this is also a great hobby for children on a limited income. Yes, I know that they have computer games and all the rest of it, but unless I am very much mistaken, children can find this hobby very absorbing no-matter what technological age we are living in. This is especially true when a parent will share the interest with a child.

So go ahead and plunge in. There is a universe of interesting discoveries to be made.


Mark Sonderby runs the Postcard-Post website where you can find his postcards being auctioned on eBay.

What Potential Bidders Need to Know About Vintage Postcards Selling on eBay

Two words, 'postcard' and 'place name' are actually sufficient to generate most early bids on vintage postcards offered on eBay. But there are other things many collectors need to know which influence their decision to bid and to buy.

They include:

* DATE: You should be looking for old postcards, the older the better, preferably pre-1939, so there's more chance that places have changed appearance, or changed name, perhaps they no longer exist or the postcard feature events and people that are little known about today, all of which increase demand and stimulate high finishing prices.

* PUBLISHER: Some people collect by publisher, especially firms that specialised in their own local topographical area and rarely, if ever, created postcards of views more than twenty or thirty miles from base. So you'll find people collecting postcards of Newcastle and Gateshead but only those created by Johnston and Son of Gateshead who were renowned for quality, highly detailed postcards under their trademark name 'Monarch'. Other famous publishers include Brittain and Wright who worked in Stockton-on-Tees and were famed for the 'Phoenix Series' and have a popular following today.

* CONDITION: Condition is important to purist collectors, people who collect postcards per se, but less important to people seeking 'view cards' for whom the scene depicted, not the postcard per se, is the main motivation to buy. To satisfy both collector types you must give an assessment of condition backed with a clear and detailed image of the card.

* PRINT AND PRODUCTION TYPE: Some people collect only photographic postcards, some accept printed items, others seek artist impressions of their topographical area. This should not over concern you right now because plentiful collectors exist to buy whatever topographical postcards you list of whatever production type.

* FORMAT AND SIZE: The earliest postcards were 'Court' size and smaller than most postcards printed from about 1900. Very early postcards were undivided back, that is devoid of line down the centre to separate message part from address section and this also helps date a card in the absence of other clues. Postcards were and still are produced in other sizes and formats, such as bookmark size, giant postcards, lettercards like a concertina of pictures, and others you'll learn as your knowledge grows about selling vintage postcards on eBay.


Avril Harper is an eBay PowerSeller and author of BANK BIG PROFITS SELLING VINTAGE TOPOGRAPHICAL VIEW POSTCARDS ON EBAY which you can read about at: www.sellpostcardsonebay.com and MAKE MONEY TEARING UP OLD BOOKS AND MAGAZINES AND SELLING THEM ON EBAY which you can read about at: www.magstoriches.com. She has produced a free guide - 103 POWERSELLER TIPS - which you can download with other freely distributable reports and eBooks at www.avrilharper.com

A Look at the History of Postcards

One of the most important innovations was the introduction of Uniform Penny Post in Great Britain in 1840. Before that, it was the distance the mailman had to travel that determined the price for shipping a letter. And what's worse, the recipient had to pay for receiving the letter. Of course this led to many letters that were refused by the recipients, at the cost of the Postal Office. Rownload Hill came up with the solution, that letters should be charged based on their weight, and not the distance the mailman had to travel. And the fee was to be collected in advance from the sender.

Dr. Heinrich von Stephan was the inventor of the postcard. Dr. Heinrich von Stephan was a German postal official. Although the invention appeared in Germany, they were not the first ones to introduce the postcards on the market. Austria was the pioneer, they introduced the first commercial postcards in 1869, and only a year later, in July 1870, would Germany follow. The postcards was an instant success, and it rapidly spread across both Europe and North America. Printing technology was responsible for the great artistic innovations in the postcard's design. The postcard became a quick way to send your family or friends a snapshot of the surroundings. The initial appearance of picture postcards raised a bunch of legal issues. Copyright issues that resemble the ones we have on the Internet.

Technology innovation lead to reduction of costs. Postcards are the most popular and economical means of personal communication. You can find cheap postcards virtually anywhere in the world today.

The formal name in the US for postcard collecting is Deltiolgy and is one of the largest collectible hobbies in the world today. The popularity can be attributed to the broad subject appeal they confer. Almost all subjects you can imagine have been portrayed, somewhere, sometime, on a postcard. For more information of souvenirs and presents you can check this site: grand gifts ideas.

How To Protect Vintage Paper Collectibles

If you either own or have inherited old paper materials such as postcards, brochures, letters, greeting cards, tickets, pamphlets, trade cards, tobacco cards, calendars or other related items, it is important to care for them properly. Even newer paper collectibles, such as all the really cute drawings your children do in school, need to be protected if you hope to turn them into treasured momentos that you can cherish for years to come.

In the antiques business, these items are referred to as “ephemera.” Ephemera is written material that was only designed to be temporary. For example, once a greeting card, letter or a postcard was received and read, it was expected that it would be discarded. Even though it was suppose to be transitory, people began to save such items as souvenirs or remembrances for sentimental reasons.

When someone passed away, these old reminders of special occasions or special events were handed down to the next generation as part of that person’s estate. After the passage of so many years, much of the artwork and many of the graphics that appear on some of these materials are now considered valuable.

Collecting vintage ephemera is very popular today but a lot of it is quite fragile so caution needs to be taken when either handling it or storing it. With proper care, hopefully it will be around for generations to come. Only true experts in this field have the extensive knowledge needed to successfully stop the aging process or to restore these materials. The basic recommendations listed below are a beginning and will go along way toward maintaining the present condition of any ephemera pieces you may have.

1. If you have postcards in albums, they should be removed. Cards should be separated with pieces of acid-free paper and they should be stored upright on their edges. Stacking them on top of each other could cause damage to cards that are embossed.

2. When postcards or other paper materials are stacked on their edges within a space, and they do not completely fill that space, be sure to use some sort of stabilizers or separators to keep the postcards and other paper materials in a straight up and down position. You do not want the materials to “slump” which can cause curling or bending.

3. Paper materials should be stored in a temperature of 75 degrees or less. Also, too much or too little humidity is not good.

4. Next to fire, sunlight is the biggest enemy of paper materials. It is best to keep your materials in a dark, dry and cool place such as a fireproof cabinet.

5. Do not eat or drink anywhere near your collection. Spillage of any kind could be devastating.

6. Dirt and dust can cause discoloration and even scratches so use a soft brush to dust materials.

7. Rodents and insects are attracted to some of the ingredients in paper. Even if they don’t eat away at the paper, although they probably will, droppings will leave permanent stains.

8. Try to handle your materials by holding the edges unless you wear gloves. If you handle the paper too much, the oils in your skin will slowly cause erosion.

9. If you must attach a piece of ephemera to something else only use linen or paper tape and never put the tape on the front.

If you are a dealer and are selling ephemera, you probably do not have any pieces in your possession long enough to warrant taking these steps but if you have your own personal collection, it could be worth your while.

Some of these suggestions may not sound all that important but following them over the course of 10, 20 or 30 years can have a dramatic effect on the longevity of these heirlooms. Remember you can never replace theses wonderful old collectibles – time is their enemy. Do what is necessary to protect them.

Anne Benedetto is a former auction house owner and former dealer in the antiques and collectibles business. She presently provides people with important details, behind the scenes information, helpful tips and first hand knowledge of the brick and mortar auction business. Visit Anne at http://AuctionHouseTalk.com which is an interactive site where interested people can talk about the ins and outs of auctions, antiques and collectibles.

Postcard Magic

No hobby quite compares with collecting postcards in the way it caters for all interests. Whether you're a football fan, mad about the royal family, keen on local history, a railway buff or a student of ornithology, picture postcards offer you a marvellous stimulus for your hobby. And for those merely nostalgic and interested in the events and fashions of the past century, the postcard encapsulates it all.

Postcards are fascinating and collectable in lots of different ways. Each example is a snapshot of the past: a moment, a slice of social history, frozen in time. Every postcard that has gone through the post tells you a little bit about its place in the bygone world. The picture, stamp, postmark, message and address are part of the life of two people - the sender and the recipient - in the past. Few collectors are lucky enough to find a postcard written by a famous person, but many writers referred to current events in their messages.

Postcards provide a panorama of the events of the twentieth century: coronations, sporting confrontations, horrific accidents, local fetes, great exhibitions, world wars. They show the development of rail, road, sea and air transport. They feature actresses, bishops, politicians, cricketers and pier divers - anyone who might be newsworthy and heroic. National firms like Raphael Tuck of London and Valentine of Dundee published cards of countrywide interest, while in every town and city were local photographers who recorded all the interesting events of the day and published them as picture postcards. So a photograph of the annual sports in a village could be mailed anywhere in Britain - or, indeed, the world - to friends and relatives. The local railway station, cinema, colliery, church or school, and every street in the place, would appear on a card - anything that was part of a community was a likely subject for publishers to use.

Some of the world's best-known serious and comic artists of the early 20th century had their work featured on postcards, including art nouveau exponents Alphonse Mucha and Raphael Kirchner. In Britain, Mabel Lucie Attwell's children, Alfred Quinton's landscapes, Louis Wain's cats, Tom Browne's ordinary people, and Donald McGill's henpecked husbands can all be found on cards.

With such a wide choice of subjects to collect, there really is plenty to suit anyone's pocket. Even some cards a century old can cost just pence, though the best street scenes attract prices in excess of £20. Special subject cards - Titanics, suffragettes and football teams - can rate over £100, while more mundane themes - flowers, churches and country views - can be bought cheaply. Age doesn't always provide an indication of expense, either, for a card from the 1970's may sell for more than one from the Edwardian era. Whatever their subject or price, however, postcards can be fascinating, stimulating, and educational - but they never fail to interest.