Penny postcards were widely used 100 years ago for holiday greetings
during the “golden age” of American postcards.
Until March 1, 1907, the postal system did not allow for a divided back on the reverse side of the postcard, with the address appearing on the right and a message on the left. This date marked the beginning of the golden age of postcards, as now there was ample room on the front for a picture or an artistic image.
In 1908, more than 677 million postcards were mailed in the United States alone! Cards designed by artists such as Ellen Clapsaddle, Raphael Tuck, Frances Brundage, E. Nash, and Esther Howland today command from $10 to over $100, depending on condition and subject matter. Holiday cards were commonly mailed by all Americans during this time. The most abundant cards are for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and the Fourth of July. Cards for Labor Day are the rarest holiday cards of all, often commanding over $100 each. Old Halloween cards in good condition are also prized by collectors.
