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Antique postcard collection

Antique postcard collection

Descriptive Summary

Title: Antique postcard collection
Creator: Unknown
Inclusive Dates: 1880-1998
Bulk Dates: 1880-1935
Language(s): English
Extent: 2.5 Linear Feet 2 cartons, 1 box
Collection Number: ms3032
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

Bonnie Crispin built this collection of postcards from Philip Gauss and Louisa Mund who collected their cards from 1880 to the beginning of the 20th century. Ms. Crispin started collecting her own postcards in the 1930's when they were first addressed to her as Bonnie Danielson. Her collection contains postcards from all over Europe and many from New York City's Historic District.

Postcards were first invented in the late 19th century but became massively popular in the early 20th century. Many postcards sold across the world, particularly the United States, originated in Europe in this early period. Because in the early 1900s many countries were still deciding between having divisons on the back of postcards, many people wrote on the front of cards, effectively ruining the images printed there. By 1910, most countries had allowed for a divided back, and front images became ever more elaborate. After World War I, the postcard craze died down globally, but America began producing postcards on a large scale for the first time. Unfortunately, the quality was never as high as it was before the Great War.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of a 2,138 piece antique postcard collection dating mainly from the 1880s to the 1930s. The collection includes World War I period postcards from famous ocean liners, French landmarks and French royalty, many signed and hand-colored. There are extensive collections from Central amd South America, circa 1925, and several postcards from Europe, including several depicting Adolph Hitler from 1935.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged by originator and/or location.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Antique postcard collection, ms3032, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945
Photographic postcards.
Picture postcards.
Postcard albums.
Postcards -- Central America.
Postcards -- Europe.
Postcards -- France.
Postcards -- Germany.
Postcards -- South America.
Postcards.

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
cartonitem
11Philip Gauss album- primarily holiday greeting cards decorated with pictures of children and animals, 1905-1907
Album is very fragile. Consult archivist before handling.
 
12European souvenir postcard album- mainly from Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Great Britain , 1908
 
13Swiss souvenir postcard album - mainly from Switzerland , 1908
 
14French, Central American souvenir postcard album - mainly from France, some Panama and Spanish Gibraltar , 1906-1908
 
cartonitem
21Louisa Mund album - color advertising cards for a variety of companies , 1800-1899
 
22Philip Gauss album - mainly color advertising cards and some holiday cards, 1905
 
23Scrapbook - colored cutouts of children, animals, and historic events, 1900-1940
 
21-4Bonnie Crispin modern cards, get well and holiday cards , 1960-1999
 
box
3Assorted postcards (Bonnie Crispin)