Arts, Craft & Skills | Postcards | Greeting Cards |

Postcards

1870-1920

Between 1870 and 1898, pictorial cards began appearing. The first of these "postcards" were souvenirs sold at the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893. Writing was not permitted on the backs of the cards.

As privately printed postcards became more popular their drawbacks were argued. They offered no privacy and writing was forbidden on the back, or address side, which explains why old postcards often have messages written on the front of the card.

On May 19, 1898, Congress passed an act which allowed private printers to sell their published cards to be posted at a 1-cent rate, comparable to government issued postal cards. This act also stipulated the rules for printing postcards, including wording to be used on the backs.

The Detroit Publishing Company released is first series of private mailing cards on July 1, 1989, the day the new law went into effect. Subsequent amendments to this law were made and by 1907, postcards featured divided backs, allowing for both an address and a written message.

Alchemy's collection of vintage postcards are scanned images and are formatted to be printed on 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock. Typically, postcards were not printed on glossy photgraphic paper as they are today.

If you would like a higher resolution file, email us and we'll send it to you. Include the name of the file you are requesting, and your registered (subscription) email address. order@saltpress.com

Collection 01: Halloween, Valentines Day and general affection. Includes backs.

Low resolution: 306k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD

Collection 02: New Year, Leap Year and Thanksgiving. Includes backs.

Low resolution: 340k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD

Collection 03: Valentine's Day, General Affection and To My Dear Father. Includes backs.

Low resolution: 306k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD

Collection 04: To My Dear Father and Happy Birthdays. Includes backs.

Low resolution: 319k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD

Postcard 06: Happy Easter wishes for Mother. Includes backs. Three of same image per sheet (one each for your mother, mother-in-law and a grandmother).

Better resolution: 332k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD

Postcard 07: Happy Easter. Includes backs. Three of same image per sheet

Better resolution: 418k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD

Postcard 08: Happy Mother's Day. Includes backs. Three different images, including one that can be customized with your own message, photo or other embellishment.

Better resolution: 528k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD

Greeting Cards

Little Easter Cards with envelopes: 129k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD

Valentine's Day Card: this dimensional card features a pop-up design taken from a vintage card, circa 1900. 2,364k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD or ORDER JUST THIS FILE for $1.25 ITEM # 0191

Valentine's Day Card: Customize this dimensional card by adding your own sentiments on the string of pop-up hearts or even use them as redeemable gift certificates (Good for one massage or Good for one car wash). 965k SUBSCRIBERS DOWNLOAD or ORDER JUST THIS FILE for $1.25 ITEM # 0192