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In 1843 in Britain a wealthy man, Sir Henry Cole, had so many greetings to send he couldn't hand write them all. So he had a card made showing charity to the poor, and the Christmas card was born. Subsequent cards have featured everything from nativity scenes to families around the Christmas tree. Early cards were lithographed and often adorned with silk, lace and satin.

The most sought after vintage Christmas postcards are those featuring Santa Claus dressed in a color other than red – such as purple, green, yellow or orange.

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» See all Christmas postcards Show & Tells

Interviews & Articles

Dreaming of a Posh Christmas, in Postcards

As a fan of vintage clothing and all things vintage related to Christmas, I naturally seek out vintage Christmas cards that have a… [more]

An Interview With Metropolitan Museum Curator Jeff Rosenheim On the Postcard Collection Of Walker Evans

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

Vintage Christmas Ornaments, From Cardboard Dresdens to Silvered Kugels

About 42 years ago, my wife, Darla, went to a very large white elephant sale and found a box of antique Christmas ornaments. She t… [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]

The Charms of Christmas Ephemera and the Changing Face of Santa Claus

I grew up in a home without any antiques. As a small kid, I started decorating my parents’ home for Christmas. I don’t know what i… [more]

An Interview With Postcard Collector Andreas Praefcke

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

Guest Column: A History of Dimestore Christmas Village Houses

The following is a history of these wondrous little artifacts called cardboard Christmas village houses - a history devoted to est… [more]

Guest Column: A Guide to Christmas Antiques and Vintage Christmas Decorations

Ever wonder about that box of vintage Christmas decorations in the attic? From wooden nutcrackers to glass Christrmas tree ornamen… [more]

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Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

U. Delaware Postcard Collection

U. Delaware Postcard Collection

This collection of over 2000 postcards provides a peek at life in and around Delaware in the early 1900s. Browse g… [read review or visit site]

Papa Teds Place

Papa Teds Place

Theodore H. Althof, Jr's beautiful collection of vintage dimestore cardboard Christmas 'putz' village houses. Start… [read review or visit site]

Carthalia

Carthalia

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

Antique Christmas Lights Museum

Antique Christmas Lights Museum

George Nelson's incredibly detailed chronicle of vintage Christmas tree lighting. Browsable by decade and special t… [read review or visit site]

Bohemian Christmas Decorations

Bohemian Christmas Decorations

This simple site showcases over 500 artistic Gablonz glass bead antique and vintage Christmas tree ornaments, made … [read review or visit site]

Stevengraphs Bookmarks and Postcards

Stevengraphs Bookmarks and Postcards

Malcolm Roebuck's tribute to the ornate silk picture bookmarks and postcards ('Stevengraphs') produced by Thomas St… [read review or visit site]

Old Soviet Christmas Cards

Old Soviet Christmas Cards

This site showcases over 1000 old Soviet Christmas and New Years cards from 1950 to 1990. Browse through page after… [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]

Postcardy.com

Postcardy.com

Lynne Appel's reference site contains useful information for postcard collectors such as such as a Postcard Collect… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Postcards

Other Great Reference Sites: Postcards

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 106 by  highest bid • most watched • completed
302 (+) Vintage "mixed" Postcard Album..santa Has Officially Left His Work Shop Vtg Early 1900's ~152~ Holiday Postcard Album~halloween/santa/patriotic/easterLot Of 58 Antique Vintage Postcard Tenerife Santa Cruz Spain Canary Island 1900sAntique Uncle Sam Santa Claus Post Card - Rare Santa Father Christmas Blue Robe Htl Hold To Light Postcard *scarce DesignVtg Early 1900's ~176~ Holiday Postcard Album~halloween/santa/patriotic/easterTwo 1912 John Winsch Postcards Santa Close-up Embossed Greeting40s Photo Capitola By The Sea[santa Cruz/monterey]beach Club Roller Skating RppcLot Of 70 Circa Early 1900's Christmas Postcards Mostly 1909 1901 Old VintageOriginal H.t.l. Cats Christmas Greeting Novelty Hold To Light Postcard M. Flatscher - Children Angels Danse A Christmas Tree24 Christmas Postcards All With Santa Claus From Album600 Vintage Postcards Greetings/holidays Santa's Valentines Easter Thanks Tucks166 +/- Vintage Postcards Santa's Thanksgiving Easter Valentines Mix Lot Nice*25 Christmas Postcards All With Santa Claus From AlbumScarce Vintage Linen Christmas Santa Claus Postcard Toys Tree Saddlebag SnowAntique Photo Capitola By The Sea[santa Cruz/monterey Bay]ca Beach C1920 RppcOld Antique Vintage Christmas Postcard Santa & Victorian Children Boy Girl Tot !25 Christmas Postcards All With Santa Claus From AlbumGerman Santa's, 2 Pcds - Embossed With Girls & Toy's, ExcRare Postcard Children Christmas By Pauli Ebner Vienne24 Christmas Postcards All With Santa Claus From AlbumBlue Coat European Santa Carrying Christmas Tree 1908 Embossed Made In GermanyEmbossed, "a Merry Christmas From Santa Claus," 1913Santa Claus W/ Gold Bell & Cane~gel Coating~gold Hi Lite~christmas Postcard 1911Vint Xmas P'card, Santa Loading Toy Sack, Pre 1920 Not MailedX58 Used U.s. Christmas Picture Postcards Lot 1900's-1910's! Great X-mas Ppc's!!Santa Claus Riding In A Golden AirshipPasadena Altadena/mcnally House/christmas Tree Lane/santa Rosa 10 Vintage Pcards Santa Father Christmas Postcards 4 Christ Child Nativity Angel Girl Family Tuck Christmas - Frances Brundage Girl & Doll - 1906 Postcard#19 1930 Postcard Rppc Mining Steam Shovel Santa Rita Nm New Mexico CopperSanta Claus Hiding In Holly & Berries~christmas Postcard 1907+~gel CoatingGreat: Rare White Suited Santa St. Nick Sleeping Child 1906 Must Have!!!Huge Lot Of 32 Pre 1920 Pcs Christmas, Birthday, Greetings, ThanksgivingVtg Antique Lot 346 Holiday Greeting Postcards Christmas New Years BirthdayWwi German Prisoner Of War Christmas Post CardRppc Art Museum Spanish Adobe Architecture Santa Fe New Mexico 1918 CarOld Postcard Pauli Ebner Children + Christmas Tree 1908Old Postcard Pauli Ebner Children Christmas 1900sOld Postcard Pauli Ebner Children Christmas 1900sSanta Claus Postcard - Christmas - Jolly Santa & Dolls - 1937Santa Claus & Little Boy - Toys - 1910 Christmas PostcardAdams Pack Station Big Santa Anita Canyon California Rppc Photo Postcard C194050 Older Christmas Postcard LotAlluring Child Girl Angel & Christmas Tree Original Old 1910s Photo PostcardSanta Fe Railroad Station Rr Postcard Dodge City Kansas Vintage Christmas-bonzo The Dog-yawn-mailed 1927-r68575Santa Claus & Jesus - Teddy Bear - Dolls - Toys - 1910 PostcardLittle Christmas Angel On A Star - Frances Brundage - 19103 Santa Postcards Red Suits 2 EmbossedPurple Suit Santa With Toys And Dolls, Notiz In Pocket, Polish Merry ChristmasRare White Suited Santa St. Nick Children 1906 Must See!!!Santa Fe Hotels And Dining Stations Fred Harvey Us Map Vintage Postcard!Santa Claus~christmas~postcard~1919~c-280~made In UsaY10- Santa Riding A Train With Children. Gloss Vintage Postcard Santa Fe Railroad Rr Postcard Station And Yards San Bernardino California 1913Mixed Lot 8 Early Whitney Easter Christmas New Year Valentine Postcards Vvv2096Santa Claus Postcard €Belsnickle Santa W/toy Laden Billy Goat~knocks On Door W/package~very Unique~
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