HOW TO DATE YOUR POSTCARD WITHOUT THE USE OF WINE, WOMEN OR SONG!!!
PIONEERS (prior to 1898) are relatively scarce and they share a few common design traits: They all have undivided backs for addresses only. They are mostly from large eastern or European cities. Postage rate will be two cents.
PRIVATE MAILING CARDS (1898-1901). They all have the inscription "Private mailing card" on their backs. They have undivided backs for address only.
UNDIVIDED "POSTCARD" BACK ERA. (24 Dec 1901-1907). The wording "POSTCARD" is imprinted on backside. They have undivided backs for address only. Many of these cards have writing (as required by law) for messages on front.
DIVIDED POSTCARD BACK ERA (1907-1915). Backside of card has line down middle diving areas for message and address. Front of card has image across entire card with no borders. View cards are in a glossy Litho format. Mostly German publishers. So, if it says: Made in Germany and is not cancelled, it's date is Pre-1915 as we stopped having these made in Germany with the onset of World War I
WHITE BORDER (1915-1930). Divided back. Front of card has white border around entire image. Mostly American Publishers.
LINEN ERA (1930-1955?). Cards are made of a linen type paper with a high rag content. Card has a textured feel and if held sideways you can "see" the linen threads CURT TEICH cards have codes ie, 3A followed by numbers .. the first digit is the year, the letter is the decade .. A= 1930's // B=1940's // C=1950's
CHROME ERA (1939 to date). Vivid color photographs on postcards. Cards have a shine to them. -- If There is NO zipcode on the back then it was made prior to 1964, before zipcodes were used by the USPS -- Scalloped edged cards were made during 1970's
