First Postcards explores the captivating history of postcards, revealing their evolution from simple communication tools to cherished collectibles. It examines how postcards reflect social trends, artistic movements, and technological advancements of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The book contextualizes their emergence within postal reforms and printing innovations, highlighting the rapid adoption of postcards across social classes. It argues that these seemingly simple pieces of ephemera offer a unique window into the past, providing insights into everyday life and cultural values often overlooked by traditional historical sources, especially during the golden age of postcards.
The book unfolds in three sections, beginning with the origins of postcards and their precursors, then exploring the “Golden Age” of postcards, including diverse types and printing techniques. Finally, it delves into the world of postcard collecting, highlighting early collecting mania and modern practices, as well as major postcard artists and themes.
By drawing on primary sources like early postcard collections and postal archives, First Postcards provides a comprehensive view of postcard history and their cultural impact. This book will appeal to collectors, history enthusiasts and hobbyists alike.
