Postcards - Postally Used or Unused

[kcohen]

To those who collect postcards, which do you prefer? From a grading standpoint, one obviously does better with unused. However, used postcards for me can have an allure and convey a history that unused cannot.

I thought of this yesterday when I received a piece purchased on BST, a HM Taylor Hughie Jennings (Thanks, Jason). On the back is written a message by the sender (Ed) to a friend (Paul) and posted September 2, 1908 in Detroit and sent to Cleveland. On the back is written, " How do, Paul. Keep on smiling. Cleveland ain't doing a thing to Detroit. Three straight. Ha Ha. That's going some. Ed"

From what he wrote, I thought Tiger fan Ed was rubbing it it to Naps fan Paul with the Tigers having beaten the Naps 3 straight. Checking baseball-reference.com, this is what I fully expected to find. However, what occurred was the opposite. Cleveland had taken 3 straight.

So I'm not sure what to make of it. Doesn't really matter. Back to the original question, do you prefer used or unused?

[bijoem]

not even close - I prefer postally used.

[Bicem]

I like both. A nice clean copy or a copy with some cool baseball content. Either works for me.

[HRBAKER]

Assuming they weren't folded in half and put in someone's back pocket on the way home from the PO I prefer postally used be a wide margin. I like the stamp and cancellation date on the back (and sometimes front ). I would prefer that there be no writing on the front but find it acceptable as long as it does not obscure the face of the player or subject and if it pertains to the subject of the PC.

[3-2-count]

Originally Posted by bijoem

not even close - I prefer postally used.

Me too!

[Michael Peich]

Good question, Ken, and I'm with you since I enjoy reading comments on postcards, like this one on the front of one of my favorite series. It is postmarked Oct. 12, 1907, the day after the Cubs swept the Tigers 5-0 in the World Series. The downside of postally used is that the postmark can often be applied in a most unfortunate way as the Lajoie reveals.

Cheers, Mike

PS-Despite what the previous owner wrote on the back of the Grignon, the handwriting is probably not Frank Shulte's, unfortunately,

[Exhibitman]

Depends. I especially like a postmark and written info when it relates to the subject or to an event, like a little capsule of history. Like this PC:




The card shows Jim Jeffries sharpening a tool with three onlookers. The card is labeled "Rowardennan" which was the Jeffries training camp in Santa Cruz CA. It is initially postmarked in June 1910 and recites how "the big fellow is getting better every day sure thing."

Or this one, which is signed by HOFer Carlos Ortiz's manager and invites a boxing writer to an Ortiz fight in 1957:



Also makes it very hard to fake the item.

Finally, since the technical grade of the item is less than good when written on and postmarked, it also often means you can score the card on the cheap. Less money in each card means more cards for me!

[Jaybird]

I like both as well but appreciate the history associated with postmarked and written cards. Many issues we already know much about, but much of what we know about known issues is due to finding an example which has been postally used. So, those that have been written and postmarked are really research gems and that's one of the aspects of the hobby that really gets me going.

The postcard below would likely have been not too hard to research through the records of the company and the age range of the subject, etc. but the postmark and writing surely help to make an easy task and complete the picture.

[Fred]

I like postally used. The post card may be worn becuase it was circulated but (to me) seeing the postage canellation brings the card to life.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by kcohen

To those who collect postcards, which do you prefer? From a grading standpoint, one obviously does better with unused. However, used postcards for me can have an allure and convey a history that unused cannot.

I thought of this yesterday when I received a piece purchased on BST, a HM Taylor Hughie Jennings (Thanks, Jason). On the back is written a message by the sender (Ed) to a friend (Paul) and posted September 2, 1908 in Detroit and sent to Cleveland. On the back is written, " How do, Paul. Keep on smiling. Cleveland ain't doing a thing to Detroit. Three straight. Ha Ha. That's going some. Ed"

From what he wrote, I thought Tiger fan Ed was rubbing it it to Naps fan Paul with the Tigers having beaten the Naps 3 straight. Checking baseball-reference.com, this is what I fully expected to find. However, what occurred was the opposite. Cleveland had taken 3 straight.

So I'm not sure what to make of it. Doesn't really matter. Back to the original question, do you prefer used or unused?

For 'player card' postcards like the Jennings you described, I could see wanting it in perfect condition, no writing....'slabbable'

For the type I collect (RPPC's with amateur baseball themes) it's much more interesting and desirable to have a story on the back, especially if it relates to the team or players on the front.

[bcbgcbrcb]

I would take either as well, not a strong preference one way or the other. The only thing that I really don't like is writing on the photo side of the postcard.

[drc]

Postally used means it's been officially dated by the US Government.

There was were questions about the ages of the Pinkerton postcards/scorecards-- some thought they might be more modern--, but some of the blank backed versions were used as postcards with 1910s postmarks. This was a case where people were glad they were postally used.

I like a nice vintage letter-- with the writing in the appropriate spot, no bleeding to front of course. Just my preference.

Along similar line, I prefer a letter with writing on it to a blank piece of paper. I'm funny that way.

Unless it's a bill of course.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

I would take either as well, not a strong preference one way or the other. The only thing that I really don't like is writing on the photo side of the postcard.

Agreed.

[joeadcock]

Agreed, either one.

Nice Cobb PC

[bcbgcbrcb]

Two beauties, Jeff!

[calvindog]

Thanks. As others have said, who cares if the card is written on -- as long as it's not on the front?

[slidekellyslide]

I don't mind if it was written on on the front as long as it was the subject of the postcard that did the writing.

Dan Tobey with a note to Honus Wagner's brother Luke trying to get him to join the Nebraska Indians.



I don't mind this kind of writing on the front either

[DixieBaseball]

I am ok with unused, but prefer postally used any day of the week. Take this PC for example... 1908 Southern Association Champions, Nashville Vols, last day of the season, Nashville takes down the great Ted Breitenstein and New Orleans 1-0 to win the league on winning percentage. (Had less wins if I recall correctly) The PC was postmarked a day after the championship and sent to New Orleans to his buddy rubbing in the big win referring to Breitenstein being rotten. (Totsy to B.F. Kats) There is a book actually written about this game. Greatest Game ever played in Dixie. I love a PC that can tell a story.

[fkw]

Postally Used

they are way cooler, more interesting, dated, and on top of that way cheaper

win win win win

[Rickyy]

I have both used and unused....either way works for me... as long as there are no writing on the front of the card.

Ricky Y