There’s just something romantic about picturing yourself on the high seas, nothing but ocean as far as the eye can see, the waves roiling and crashing as sea gulls caw. It’s no wonder we have a fascination with boats, ships, and all things nautical. Think of “Moby Dick,” the tragic Titanic voyage, expeditions, pirate tales, and other gripping seafaring adventures logged in popular culture. Heroes travel to locations around the world, survive harrowing storms, and encounters with the beasts of the sea like sharks and giant squid. Steamboats, thrilling examples of Victorian technology, are particularly popular vintage postcard subjects.

Interviews & Articles

Walker Evans, Preeminent Photographer and Passionate Postcard Collector

In 1994, I had the great pleasure of acquiring the complete archive of Walker Evans for the Metropolitan Museum. The archive is qu… [more]

When Postcards Were the Social Network

I worked for 35 years as a reference librarian with the Madison Public Library and I just got interested in Madison’s history thro… [more]

Attending the Theatre, Via Postcards

Andreas Praefcke (Ravensburg, Germany) collects postcards of old and new theatre buildings worldwide. His complete collection can … [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Carthalia

Carthalia

Andreas Praefcke's postcard collection of theatres and concert halls worldwide. Showcases 3700 images of over 1810 … [read review or visit site]

Tall Tale Postcards

Tall Tale Postcards

Don't let this one get away from you. This 'unbelievable' collection, from the Wisconsin Historical Society, featur… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Postcards

Other Great Reference Sites: Postcards

Top eBay Auctions

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Mirror Class Dinghy Sailboat KitGreat Lakes Ship,steamer Arcadia,sunk In Storm Off Pentwater,michigan,apr 1907Ss Olympic- White Star Line- Real Photo Postcard Leaving Belfast-1911 Great Lakes Ludington Michigan C & O Train Carferry State Room Brass Key & Fob 2 Pc Steamship Holland Mi Michigan North & South American & City Of Grand RapidsRms Olympic- White Star- Photo Taken On Day Of Launch In 1910-postcard-lookTypaldos Bros.' Mediterreanean (ex-canadian Pacific Princess Charlotte Of 1908)Naval Parade Of American Sailors At Melbourne 1908 Colored PostcardSs Bremen Children Playing On Ship Deck Old Real Photo Postcard Vintage RppcCunard Line Rms Lusitania Postcard1906 Steamship Saratoga (munson Line) Postcard -- Mobile, Alabam To Havana, CubaIle De France- French Line- Set Of 20 Postcards-interiors- Carnet-most For 1st CPostcard Album - Holland America Line's 'elegant Explorer' - PrinsendamPostcard Album - Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian EpicKronprinz Wilhelm Bremen Men On Ship Real Photo PostcardPostcard Album - Carnival Cruises' Carnival Splendor (as Built)Postcard Album - Rci's Allure Of The Seas (as Built)Postcard Album - Carnival Cruises' Carnival Freedom (as Built)Postcard Album - Rci's Oasis Of The Seas (as Built)Postcard Album - Holland America Line's EurodamPostcard Album - Holland America Line's Latest - Nieuw AmsterdamPostcard Album - Carnival Cruises' Carnival DreamPostcard Album - Carnival Cruises' Carnival Liberty (as Built)Canada Patriotic Ship Postcard - Dominion Government Ss "earl Grey" - Pugh1920s Vintage St Helens Shipbuilding Real Photo Postcard Oregon Boat Making MenPostcard Album - Carnival Cruises' Carnival Glory (as Built)Kaiserin Auguste Victoria-hamburg Am Line-four (4) Full Color Interior PostcardsRiver Boat Skagit Bell Mt Vernon Seattle Washington Vintage Photo PostcardConte Biancamano-grand Hall In Color-lloyd Sabaudo-foldover Postcard- 1925France Norway Maiden Arrival At Le Havre Unused Exc Condition Cgt Transat NclHmt Dilwara-c1920s-boat/ship-uk 2f80Uss "lancaster" Receiving Ship Rppc Philadelphia Navy Yard 1909 Great Titanic White Star Batchelder Bros Croydon PostcardR.m.s. Titanic In Memoriam- Postcard (tom Harvey)-christie Marked PhotoN.y.k. Line S.s. "nitta Maru "nyk ShipAntique Vtg Pre-wwi Battleship Boat Early 1900's Photograph Picture MilitaryLot Of 15 Danish Norwegian 1900s Photos & Postcards Antique Ships Rppc #263Ship Norddeutscher Lloyd Bremen Rppc Boat PostcardEmpress Of Ireland Ship Liner Rare CardRare Lot Antique On Board Steamship C 1900s Russian English Postcards Rppc #258Antique Steamship Battleship Maritime Circa 1900s Postcards Ilustrated Rppc #257United Fruit Company Ss Calamares Interior Photo PostcardBlue Funnel Line Ss Pyrrhus PostcardByron Line's (national Steam Navigation Of Greece) Patris Ii Of 1925Typaldos Line's Akropolis Of 1961 (ex-grace Line Santa Paula Of 1932)Vintage Postcard Steamer "mongolia" Off For The Orient San Francisco CaliforniaS.s. Titanic Vintage Postcard C1910s W/ Writing On Back & Info On FrontAlaska Line S.s. Yukon PostcardSs Normandie-beautiful Full Color Portrait Of Ss Normandie At Night-postcardGreek Line's Arkadia Of 1958 (ex-monarch Of Bermuda Of 1931) - Card # 2Postcard Album - Costa Cruises' Costa Romantica (as Built)Greek Line's Arkadia Of 1958 (ex-monarch Of Bermuda Of 1931) - Card # 1Mv Vulcania-cosulich Line-three (3) Real Photograph Postcards- Interiors-f/classScarce Sister Ships Ss Hamburg & Ss New York 2 B&w Rppc Postcards 1930'sOriginal 1936 Ss Normandie Oceanliner Curt Teich Linen Postcard Near MintColombian Line Ss Pastores PostcardRppc: Paddlewheel Steamboat On The Ohio River,1940sP.c:guernsey St. Peter Port, Steamer Lydia At Anchor 1900sThe Kitsap Ferry Boat B&w Photo Washington Vintage PostcardInterior - Greek Line's Last Flagship - Olympia - The Drawing Room