How would you price this 1905 Postcard?

[jamie]

Hello I received a lot of vintage postcards from the early 1900’s and this one in particular is unusual. I haven’t seen one like in researching it. I’m unsure as to how to price it. Auction or List high and and accept offers?
https://imgur.com/ZBrxxkH
https://imgur.com/FBUvCgv
https://imgur.com/qTMXCgy

[Jay]

It’s certainly old, but they just look like souvenir postcards.
Are these places no longer in existence?
Usually those are the expensive postcards when there’s a building or house that has been long destroyed.

Just curious: why do you think its really special?

[jamie]

Yes what makes is special is the little door that opens and about 6 pictures of scenes from around the town with a few from Williams College are depicted

[Jay]

Huh, I guess the little door could be a thing. We’ve just found that collectors are really interested in the location. I know I have paid $20 (!!!) for a RPPC (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_photo_postcard) of a building in our small town that no longer exists.

[MyCottage]

Jay, It’s unusual because The card has a little “door” in the center, which can be opened to display the small booklet of views shown in the second photo. I’ve seen these before, but I don’t know about a dollar value on it.

[MyCottage]

here’s a link to the patent:

https://www.google.com/patents/US806631

[spinachetr]

Hi, I’m the postcard guy Jay interviewed a year or so ago. These type of fold out postcards are unique, but as Jay mentioned the value comes more from the depicted town than from the uniqueness of the style of postcard. I had the exact same fold out postcard type with the metal latch for a town in PA about 2 years ago. I couldn’t give that thing away because no one cared about the town it came from. I don’t see a date on yours, but I’m guessing pre 1908 (because of the undivided back and only the address is permitted). But it could also be right at 1908 or even 1909 area. Checking Williamstown, Mass sold listing reveal that the town sells fairly well. Several solds had multiple bids at auction. The PA town I tried selling had no multiple bidder auctions. I see that you have the card listed already starting at $7.99 at auction. I personally would have started this around $15 to $20. If you only get 1 bidder on your auction you’re stuck at $7.99. I always try to pick a starting auction price where I would be very happy getting that amount if I only got the 1 bidder. Aim high. Postcard take up so little room that you could let this sit for awhile. Ohh, now I see the date on the front printed 1905. I think your pictures and listing look good. If you can work in fraternity into it some how might help too. As thick as this postcard is, it might not fit very well in a cardboard photo mailer or envelope. A bubble mailer would be your best bet, so you’ll eat $2.70ish on shipping. Hope that helps. John

[Jay]

And I’ll give a shout out to John’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/spinachetr/videos

He posts about his postcards sales and why some sell for more than others.
Very useful!

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by Jay.

[jamie]

Thanks so much for the help John. I took your advise and priced it higher. I’m also going to try to work that fraternity into the listing as well. I remember your interview with Jay and when my Great Uncled offered me the postcards for free I thought of your interview, and thought why not even though they are a little out of my comfort zone. I’ll check out your youtube channel as well as I have a few more vintage postcards to list. This was was the oldest and most unusual. Thanks again!

[MyCottage]

John, You usually take photos of your postcards? Why not scans? I have some to list, as well as other ephemera, and have been debating which would be better

[spinachetr]

I switched to scanning about 18 months ago. I’ll only take pictures of cards that I can’t run through my scanner.

[spinachetr]

If you’re referring to one of the last youtube videos I did. I was showing that you don’t have to spend $300 on a scanner. I showed how I used to do it, which is pretty quick, easy and inexpensive.

[MyCottage]

Thanks! I’ve been doing some scanning (just a regular 3in1 printer/scanner, nothing fancy, but I think I’ll stay with scanning unless there’s a specific need to use a photo.

[Author]

Posts