Postcard facts for kids
A postcard is a flat piece of paper or cardboard. It is made for sending short messages through the mail. You usually send a postcard without an envelope. Most modern postcards have a photo or an image on one side. The other side has space for writing the address and a short message. People first used postcards in the late 1800s. Today, many people send postcards when they are on holiday. Postcard designs have changed a lot over time. Many people now like to send personalized postcards. These add a special touch or feeling to the message.
Contents
What is a Postcard?
A postcard is a simple way to send a quick note. It is a rectangular card that travels through the mail. Unlike letters, postcards do not need an envelope. This makes them easy to send.
Parts of a Postcard
Most postcards have two main sides:
- Picture Side: This side usually shows a photo or an image. It might be a famous landmark, a beautiful scene, or a fun drawing.
- Writing Side: This side is split into two parts. One part is for the message you want to send. The other part is for the recipient's address and a postage stamp.
Why People Send Postcards
People send postcards for many reasons.
- From Holidays: It is very common to send postcards when you are on holiday. You can share a quick update or a picture of where you are.
- Special Greetings: Postcards can also be used for birthdays or other special events.
- Collecting: Some people love to collect old or unique postcards. This hobby is called Deltiology.
The "Golden Age" of Postcards
The time when postcards were super popular in America is called the "golden age." This period lasted roughly from 1905 to the First World War. It was a very exciting time for postcards!
When Postcards Became Popular
The peak of postcard popularity was between 1907 and 1910. During these years, sending postcards was a huge craze. It was especially popular among women in smaller towns and rural areas in the northern U.S.
Why Postcards Boomed
Many things came together to make postcards so popular:
- More Demand: More people wanted to send and receive postcards.
- Easier Rules: The government made it easier to produce postcards.
- New Technology: Advances in photography and printing made it possible to create many postcards quickly.
- Mail Delivery: The expansion of Rural Free Delivery meant mail could reach more homes than ever before. This made it easier for everyone to send and get postcards.
- Artistic Changes: People's tastes in art also changed. This led to new and exciting postcard designs.
- Better Distribution: A network of businesses helped connect American towns with German printers. Germany was a big producer of postcards back then.
During this "golden age," billions of postcards were sent. In just one year, ending June 30, 1908, nearly 700 million postcards were mailed!
Images for kids
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An old postcard from 1899. It shows Robert Burns and his home in Ayr.
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A postcard from the late 1800s. It shows people getting on a train in Colorado.
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Lipman's Postal Card.
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A "field post correspondence card" used during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.
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A postcard from around 1920. It shows Dalhousie Street in Amherstburg, Ontario.
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A postcard designed by Yumeji Takehisa in 1912.
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A seaside postcard from 1908.
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A postcard with a 1908 postmark.
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An American postcard from 1916 with a "divided back."
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A souvenir postcard from around 1896. It shows the ship Christopher Columbus.
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A hand-tinted postcard of Ōura Church.
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A "Large Letter" postcard from the 1940s.
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A postcard showing the town of Benwick, UK.
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A postcard from 1900 showing the entrance of the Great Mosque of Kairouan.
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A postcard from 1917 showing the fortress in Vyborg.
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A postcard from late 1923 showing a street in Richmond.
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A Hawaiian Aloha nui postcard from around 1908.
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A German postcard with a dog and a beer mug.
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A "Gruss aus" (Greetings from) type postcard.
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See also
In Spanish: Tarjeta postal para niños
