Brief introductions to the history of postcards can be found at:

"A Brief History of Postcard Types" by Steve Neis
www.efoodstuff.com/marknliz/pchistry.htm

and

New York State Library Postcard Collection Finding Aid
www.nysl.nysed.gov/msscfa/qc16150.htm

--Chris Borstel

Bob Schuyler wrote:

> Very interesting list of postal rates. I assume they are for American
> lst class letters.
>
> Does anyone out there have a similar list for post card fees?
>
> Also when did  ZIP codes, or similar items, come in?
>
> Finally, since our friends in Utah started this subject, is there a
> key book that summarizes all such information?
>
> Post cards are a very important source for historical archaeology of
> the late 19th (looking backwards) and 20th centuries, especially the
> earlier local images of stores, home, street scapes and public
> buildings. Some of these cards are amazingly specific and very
> different from the generic cards we have today all shoing a few
> scences and run off in Japan or Australia (e.g. of the Grand Canyon).
>