Postcards - Postally Used or Unused

[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

[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