Postcard production grew in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and now they are sold in countries all over the world. People purchase them as souvenirs or to keep in touch with friends and family while they’re away. In fact, it’s so popular that there is a name for studying and collecting it: “Deltiology.”
If you have a collection of postcards just sitting in a drawer, dust them off and sell them. You can bring in a little extra money.
There are lots of places to sell old postcards, including online and places that’ll buy postcards near you.
In today’s post, I’ll cover the best ways to sell old postcards.
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Where Can I Sell Old Postcards Near Me or Online?
Here are the best websites and places to sell your old postcards near you or online for the most money.
1. Cardcow.com
Cardcow.com purchases postcards of any kind. It’s one of the largest online vintage postcard dealers, purchasing thousands of vintage cards each year.
It will pay you cash for your postcards, or it can sell your collection on its site or at auction for a consignment fee. It even offers a free basic appraisal of your collection.
2. SellOldPostCards.com
Update: They no longer buy postcards!
SellOldPostCards.com used to be another website that bought postcards. It purchased pre-1945 postcards.
The company had more than 30 years of experience buying from the public.
3. Cherryland Postcard Auctions
Cherryland Postcard Auctions is another place where you can sell old postcards. The company says that it has been helping people sell their postcards for more than 36 years.
When you complete the form to sell, you can choose from two options: consign your postcards to be sold at auction or sell your postcards outright.
4. eBay
eBay is not just for clothes and electronics. It’s also a great place to sell stamps, postcards, and other related items.
Selling your old postcards on eBay can be a good idea because you can set your own prices. This gives you more control over how much money you earn.
You can list up to 250 items for free. After that, there’s a $0.35 fee per listing. Once your item sells, eBay charges about 10% to 15% of the final value.
It’s a good idea to have a look on there to see what price other people are selling similar postcards for. Overall, eBay is a great option.
5. Local Auction Houses
If you have older postcards, you may want to consider getting in touch with a nearby auction house.
A local auction house may be interested in selling your postcard collection at auction.
Keep in mind that auction houses take a percentage of the profits when selling your items.
Search on Google for auction houses near you.
6. Local Antique Stores
Again, if you have some vintage postcards, another good option is local antique stores.
They may agree to sell your postcards in their store and give you a percentage of the profits.
Search for the phrase “antique store near me” or “antique store [name of your city or zip code]” on Google, and you should be able to see if there are any stores nearby. Be sure to call ahead to check whether these stores purchase old postcards.
7. Etsy
While Etsy is often known as a place where you can sell crafts and other handmade pieces, many people sell antiques and vintage items on there. So, you could list your old postcards for sale on Etsy.
Now, it costs $0.20 to list an item for sale. When your stuff sells, you’ll need to pay a 5% transaction fee and a 3% fee plus a $0.25 payment processing fee.
Etsy is a well-known site, so you’ll get your cards in front of lots of potential buyers. Plus, you can set your own rates, meaning you have more control over how much money you earn.
Selling Postcards: Closing Thoughts!
As you can see, there are a few places where you can find people who buy old postcards near you or online.
Selling postcards probably won’t pay your bills (unless you have tons of rare vintage postcards that postcard collectors will pay a lot of money for), but it’s a great way to make some extra cash while cleaning out your attic or that old dusty box in the basement!
I would like to sell my postcards I have a couple of hundrecd old cards somelate1800to early 1900s
I’d like to sell my postcards. I have a couple hundred vintage postcards. some postmarked with stamp
#2 Selloldpostcards.com no longer buys postcards. Just thought you should know.
Thank you Shannon. I updated the post!
I’ve got around 200 collectorcard monochrome postcards to sell which all relate to trams. What is my best option please
I buy and sell postcards Mainly on eBay, they will take about 13% of your total sale on each sale. I wont buy from dealers around me as they are way to expensive and no special deals if you buy in bulk. I think they forget most people who purchase these are on a fixed income. That is why my auctions start at $1.00 plus shipping. The bidders can dictate what they want to pay. I make a little bit of money to help with retirement savings that way. I do buy locally or thru the mail on places like Craigslist and Facebook. Most people just want them taken off their hands and I will usually give them SOMETHING for the lot of cards.
Anyway, Nice post and all are decent places to get rid of cards, if you want to deal with it, if not try to just bring them to someone locally and sell the whole lot all at one to them, much easier than doing a lot of back and forth online!
Thanks for sharing your personal experience Steve. Do you have any tips and tricks for those just starting out?
Hi
I have been trying to find out about selling the old post cards I have all at once . after reading your post I was wondering if you’d be interested in buying them?
I have 350 postcards that came to me via an estate settlement. Am 81 and not a collector. Cards are mostly 30″s and 40″s. and Ilook to sell all as a lot.Most are Europe with some from U.S. Carribean and even one from Cuba. All are unused and unstamped. Topics include WW2 famous people{ Churchill} politics trains boats factories About athird are in color and adout 20% are actual photographs. Lets talk.
is there any where interested in postcards which are not ‘old’ or ‘vintage’ but simply modern cards from holiday & tourist destinations in this country and abroad – Canada, America, Croatia, Ireland.
Pity to just throw them away.
I’d like to sell 16 postcard stamps – 2023 (.51) per stamp total $8.16
I need a postcard appraiser in Arizona. My collection is too large to mail out for an appraisal. Can you recommend anyone anywhere in the state? Thanks.
Hey Mary, unfortunately, no I don’t know of anybody postcard appraiser in Arizona.
I have just a few of Post WW2, that my father collected while traveling in the military. China, Japan, Europe, Panama and others. no postage or writing on most. anyone interested in looking at photos to make offer?
My deceased Father was a stamp collector from way back, and his brother worked many years at the local Post Office here in Texas.
I have received the many containers of stamps and post cards. I am very much in selling as many, if not all. I am attempting to catagorize as many as possible
HELP, HELP and HELP!
Thank you!
Hi Alice,
Thank you for sharing your story. I am sorry to hear about your father. May he rest in peace.
It sounds like you have an incredible collection! For help categorizing your stamps and postcards, I highly recommend checking out Colnect. It’s a free, comprehensive catalog where you can identify stamps by country, year, or theme and organize them digitally.
Starting there should make the process much easier and help you get ready to sell. Good luck!
Hello, I have couple hundred old postcards from all over the world. Several were printed during WWI, showing war destructions in Reims, Petit Betheny, etc. Most were collected and not used. They are in goood condition though some yellowing due to age. Some also depict what appears to be dead soldiers. I’d like to sell this collection and I live in Virginia. There are also a few from Madrid which appear to be hand stitched. Cards from: Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, China, Germany, Hungary, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Norway & Netherlands, Pakistan, Mexico, Spain, Monaco, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Rhodesia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine…all old and most are clean/unsent. So where may I go to check out the value of this collection? Thank you
Wow, Elizabeth, that sounds like an amazing collection! You could check local antique shops, postcard or stamp shows, online marketplaces like eBay, or specialized postcard collecting groups to get an idea of their value.
I think because your collection spans many countries and includes some historically significant pieces, getting multiple opinions is a good idea before selling.
If you do end up selling them please come back and let us know. I’d love to hear about your experience. Good luck Elizabeth!