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Collecting Vintage Valentines & Postcards

Updated on December 21, 2014

Victorian, Antique and Vintage Valentine Cards & Postcards: For Purchase & Collecting Information

I have always loved vintage images and so it's been no great leap to the hobby collecting vintage postcards. I collect both vintage valentines as well as vintage valentine postcards. The beautiful graphics capture both the heart of the artist and romance lover part of me.

The nice thing about collecting postcards is it's a relatively inexpensive hobby that also takes up very little space. And to help you add to your collection you'll find a large assortment of vintage valentine postcards as well as Vintage valentines available for purchase.

Also on this page I have included some information regarding tips for collecting vintage postcards as well as the care and preservation of storing your collection. A few easy things that can help you maintain your collection for years to come.

What You'll Find On This Page:

Vintage Valentine Postcards

Vintage Valentine Cards

Create Your Own Vintage Looking Valentines

Books On Collecting Vintage Postcards

Also

The History Of Valentine's Day

Tips For Beginning Vintage Postcard Collecting

How I Got Started Collecting Vintage Valentines and Postcards

Care & Storage Ideas For Your Vintage Postcard Collection

Shirley Temple Vintage Valentine from 1944
Shirley Temple Vintage Valentine from 1944

How I Got Started Collecting Vintage Valentines and Postcards

Collecting is a valentines makes a great hobby.

Well I've always loved vintage artwork. My mother is probably a big influence in that she loves anything Victorian and so much of the decorating and magazines that came into our house while I was growing up dealt with antiques and Victorian era decorating. I went more toward the vintage look and less Victorian but a love for both runs strongly through my collecting.

I first started collecting vintage valentines after my father passed away. I was given a book with valentines he had received as a child during the late 30's and early 40's. I was totally enchanted with these charming little scraps of paper. Many with movable parts like propellers on airplanes or the nose of Pinocchio. From there is wasn't really a big leap to vintage postcards. After all I'm an artist with a passion for framing so this was just the next logical step.

I'm still new in the collecting aspect of things. I have a few Valentine postcards of course as well as Vintage Christmas Postcards and then a handful of photo postcards dating from the turn of the century of my childhood hometown. The great thing about collecting vintage postcards is they take up very little space and are usually quite easy and relatively cheap to add them to your collection.

Valentine's are such a happy kind of collectible postcard. Filled with fun and love and an innocense that I find appealing.

All copyrights are retained by the artist,

Mona Majorowicz of Wild Faces Gallery.

The artwork or content in this lens may not be used or reproduced, either

in part or in whole, without the express written consent from the artist.

Cavallini Glitter Vintage Carte Postale Valentine's Day Cards set of 12 (6 different designs) - Some sparkle on these vintage valentine postcards.

What's Your Favorite Vintage Postcard To Collect

See results

This charming vintage valentine postcard book has a selection of valentine graphics ranging from the mid-nineteenth century until the early part of the 20th century. During this time period the popularity of Valentine's day exploded and quite literally tens of thousand of valentines images were created. This little book celebrates the best of them. Suitable for using or framing the images are classically charming and includes everything from cupids to beautiful women of the era.

Cupid & Cherubs: Valentine's Day Icons.

Definition of Cupid & Cherub

Who Is Cupid?You of course know what cupid looks like. A young male with wings and a bow and quiver. But do you know who he is?

According to Roman mythology Cupid is the god of love and desire. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god, Mars.

The modern day persona though is more cherub like, often depicted shooting arrows into young lovers and is the icon of Valentine's Day.

So Then What's A Cherub?

Historically cherub are high ranking angels with a divine purpose. However most people think of cherubs as the rosy cheecked chubby angelic babies and toddlers as portrayed in the arts.

Victorian Valentine's Day Card
Victorian Valentine's Day Card

The History Behind Valentines Day

Valentines Day ... how it all began.

Valentines Day which is observed on the 14th of February is most known for a celebration of love between couples. The day is known for the giving of gifts like candy and flowers celebrating tokens of affection, as well as dinners out and in general a celebration of love. But how did it all begin?

Well the religious aspects began in 500AD when the Pope established the day in honor of Saint Valentine a Christian martyr. This was later removed by another Pope in 1969 but the holiday is still permitted to be observed. The holiday didn't become known for it's celebration of love until the middle ages when courtly love flourished.

Valentines Day like most holidays actually has it's origins much farther back in pagan ceremonies. It has been linked with pagan fertility ceremonies as well as sacrificial rituals. Fortunately the modern day expression of this day are far more gentle and expressive of love.

If you'd like to learn more about Valentine's Day check out these sites.

Valentine's Day Wikipedia

The History Of Valentines Day

Valenines History For Kids

Valentine Day History: It's not what it used to be

My Vintage Valentines from the 30's and 40's

My Vintage Valentines from the 30's and 40's
My Vintage Valentines from the 30's and 40's
Vintage Valentine Circa 1940
Vintage Valentine Circa 1940

How To Begin Collecting Vintage Postcards: Valentine Or Otherwise.

Collect What You Love

Collecting what you love This is a good philosophy to have no matter what you're collecting. So after figuring out specifically what you want to collect, then you should do a little research. Try to determine what is valuable so you'll know it when you see it and how vintage postcards condition affects that value. Doing a little research on collecting postcards and their values will help you to spot the gold amongst the rubble.

I personally collect things just for the joy of it and don't consider myself a serious postcard collector. What this means is the overall postcard's condition is less important to me than the appeal of the graphics or the emotional response the vintage postcard triggers.

How To Determine The Quality Of A Vintage Postcard's

Brightness and color of the graphics

Tears, stains, smears or folds.

The thickness and quality of the paper

Look at the fine print for a publishing date

Collecting what you love This helps to simplify and narrow your focus so you'll have a cohesive looking collection. I love horse, vintage images and Victorian women. If I can take one of these topics and find it on a holiday postcard, so much the better.

My collecting vintage valentines started with being given my fathers childhood valentine collection. So I have an emotional connection to the idea of vintage valentines. My love for this subject has now turned it into something I collect.

Good Places To Find Vintage Postcards

* On this lens (yes, I couldn't resist.)

* Estate Sales

* Garage Sales

* Ebay

* Flea Markets

* Antique Stores

And I've occasionally run across postcards at:

* Baseball card shows

* or coin and stamp shows

Valentines With Values (A book for collectors) - Find Out The Valu Of Your Vintage Collection

Care & Storage For Your Vintage Postcard Collection

Acid free & Archival For Your Postcard Collection

In order to maintain both the value and visual qualities of your vinatge postcard collection you must understand how to care for and store them properly As with all things fragile and valuable correct storage of your collection is paramount. I have worked as a professional picture framer and have spent time working with framing and storing valuable artifacts for a museum, not to mention I've been in the art industry for over 20 years, so at this point I have a pretty firm firm grasp on the importance of archival quality storage and display. In order to preserve both the value and the appearance of your vintage postcards you must be sure to mount them or store them using only acid free materials. Fortunately this has gotten much easier to do in recent years..

Tips For Storing Your Vintage Postcard Collection

* Remove Vintage Postcards From Old Mountings or Albums Immediately Older albums are generally not archival and if the postcard was glued into place be sure to remove it promptly but carefully. Try to remove as much residual glue and paper from the original mountings as possible as this may affect the integrity of the postcard in the long run.

* Use only archival boxes, albums and pages.for storing and displaying your vintage postcard collection Luckily acid free and archival items are cheap and easy to come by.

* Make sure your album page slots are sufficiently large enough to accommodate your vintage postcard. Most postcards are a standard size but some vintage postcards vary slightly. Too tight a fit may mean you damage your postcard.

* Never use tape or glue when mounting your postcard Instead use archival photo corners

* If framing your collection once again make sure conservation grade framing materials are used This includes not only the mat board and backing board but also the glazing. Conservation glass is worth the investment for anything of real value. Once framed be sure to hang it only in locations that are artwork friendly. Meaning keep it out of direct sunlight or in rooms like bathroom where temperature and humidity vary regularly.

Victorian Valentines: Postcard Book

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