History of Postcards

The Journey of the Postcard: A History of Connection
Before instant messaging and social media, the world stayed connected through the "analog text message": the humble postcard. From practical jokes to wartime lifelines, postcards have mirrored our social evolution for over 150 years.

1840: The World’s First Postcard?
While official government postcards didn't arrive for decades, the first known hand-drawn postcard was sent in 1840 by London writer Theodore Hook. He mailed it to himself as a practical joke on the post office, featuring a caricature of clerks sitting around a giant inkwell. Today, it is recognized as the world's oldest known postcard, complete with a rare Penny Black stamp.

1869: The Birth of the Official Postcard
The "official" birth of the postcard occurred in Austria-Hungary on October 1, 1869. Proposed by economist Dr. Emanuel Herrmann, these first Correspondenz-Karten were simple, picture-free, and cost half the price of a standard letter. They were an instant hit, with over 2 million sold in just three months.

1890–1915: The Golden Age of Postcards
The late Victorian and Edwardian eras saw a global explosion in popularity known as the "Golden Age".
  • The Divided Back (1902–1907): Originally, the back of a postcard was reserved strictly for the address; the message had to be squeezed onto the front with the image. In 1902, Britain allowed the "divided back," followed by the U.S. in 1907, finally allowing a message and address to share one side.
  • A Communication Powerhouse: In large cities, mail was delivered up to 12 times per day. People used postcards to coordinate tea times, share news of births or deaths, and send romantic messages.

The Wartime Lifeline (1914–1918)
During World War I, postcards reached their zenith as the primary form of communication between soldiers and their families. In 1917 alone, over 12 million postcards were sent weekly between the front lines and Britain.

Evolution of Design Eras
  • Pioneer Era (Pre-1898): Characterized by "undivided backs" and government-only printing.
  • White Border Era (1915–1930): High ink costs and tariffs led printers to add white borders to save ink.
  • Linen Era (1930–1945): Technological advances allowed for vibrant, saturated colors on high-rag-content paper with a fabric-like texture.
  • Photochrome Era (1939–Present): The modern, glossy, colorful cards we see today, popularized in the 1950s.