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Regarding Old Postcards
Vintage postcards offer invaluable historical insights. They allow us to discover daily life in bygone days, landscapes and modes of transport that have since disappeared, and bygone events and traditions. Each card holds a small story, enriching our collection with emotions, knowledge, and discoveries.
A bit of history
Origins of Postcards
The postcard was first introduced in 1869 in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, thanks to the initiative of Emmanuel Hermann, a professor of political economy. He proposed a quick and economical means of communication, allowing short messages to be sent without envelopes. This concept was rapidly adopted by other European countries, including France, Germany, and then Switzerland in 1870.
Development and Popularity
In the 1890s, illustrated postcards began to appear, thanks to advances in printing techniques. These cards, often adorned with photographs or artistic illustrations, became very popular, especially between 1900 and 1920, a period considered the golden age of the postcard. They were used not only for personal correspondence, but also for messages of support during historical events, such as the Franco-Prussian War.
Why collect old postcards ?
Historical Value
Old postcards are precious witnesses of our past. They offer insight into the places, people and customs of bygone eras. By collecting these cards, enthusiasts can discover historical events, vanished landscapes and lifestyles of yesteryear. This allows us to preserve collective memory and appreciate the evolution of society.
Artistic Appreciation
Vintage postcards are often considered miniature works of art. The illustrations and photographs that adorn them reflect the artistic styles of their time. Famous artists contributed to their creation, and some postcards have become highly sought-after collector's items, such as those by Art Nouveau or Toulouse-Lautrec.
Emotional Aspect
Collecting vintage postcards can also be an emotional activity. Each card can tell a story, evoke personal memories, or depict significant places. For many collectors, it's about rediscovering images from their childhood or their home region, creating a strong emotional connection with these objects.
The shop and how it works
Discover our unique collection of vintage postcards with high-quality photos, front and back, for a confident shopping experience. Our shop has four sections: SWITZERLAND, EUROPE, WORLD, and THEMES. Explore them and find the rare piece that will complete your collection.
Switzerland
The SWITZERLAND shop is organized by canton. Some locations have a separate section (within each canton) to avoid overloading the cantonal galleries. There is an additional "Other (Switzerland)" section for Swiss maps that cannot be sorted by canton. Since the number of cantons is too large for the dropdown menu, it is best to use the cantonal links in the SWITZERLAND shop. You can also use the search tool in the menu to find what matches your interests (the magnifying glass 🔍).
Europe
The EUROPE shop is organized by country, with some locations having a separate section (within each country) to avoid overloading the national galleries. There's an additional "Other (Europe)" section for countries without their own dedicated section. You can also use the search tool in the menu to find items that match your interests (the magnifying glass 🔍).
World
The WORLD shop is organized by continent, with some locations having a separate section (within each continent) to avoid overloading the continental galleries. There's an additional "Other (World)" section for world maps that aren't sorted by continent. You can also use the search tool in the menu to find what matches your interests (the magnifying glass 🔍).
Themes
The THEMES shop is organized into 13 different sections. You can also use the search tool in the menu to find what matches your interests (the magnifying glass 🔍).
Helpful tips
- For all your searches, it's important to know that the language of the title generally corresponds to the language on the postcard. For example, if you're interested in boats, you'll need to search for "bateau", "Schiff", and "boat" to access all the relevant postcards. Also, be aware of bilingual cities (Biel / Bienne or Murten / Morat, for example).
- For postcards from Switzerland, the location is always included in the title to facilitate searches using the search tool 🔍.
- Similarly, the theme is also indicated, if there is one, for example, "boat / train / tram / costume."
- If a year is included, it's either the postmark date or a note written by someone else.
- For postcards from Europe and the world, the principle is the same, with the addition of the country name in the title for those that don't have a specific category.
- If no size is specified, it means it's a small card (9 cm x 14 cm or thereabouts).
- If "LARGE FORMAT" appears at the beginning of the description, it means the card measures 10 cm x 15 cm or thereabouts.
- The photos are of very good quality and give a clear idea of the condition and any existing flaws. However, in cases where there is any doubt, certain flaws are noted in the title, always between // and //.
Payment and delivery methods
Payments
All payments are made in advance, and purchases are shipped only after payment has been received. Available payment methods include :
- Bank transfer : For payments within Switzerland and internationally
- PayPal : For buyers outside Switzerland
- Also available: Credit / Debit cards
Please note that bank transfer payments result in a longer waiting period before shipment (pending payment confirmation).
International clients (outside of Switzerland)
We ship worldwide without any particular restrictions. For international shipments, please see the shipping costs below.
Returns and refunds
Your satisfaction is our priority. However, as the photos are of very high quality, returns are only accepted for defects that were not apparent at the time of purchase. Refunds are processed after we receive the returned item.
You can also consult our terms and conditions for more details.
Shipping costs
The fees listed under "Mail" are those of Swiss Post. You can verify them by following the link below (button "Swiss Postal Rates"). A surcharge of CHF 0.50 is systematically added to these rates for the shipping materials that ensure the secure delivery of postcards.
| Switzerland | A Mail | Registered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 card | 1.20 + 0.50 = CHF 1.70 | 6.80 + 0.50 = CHF 7.30 |
| from 2 cards | 1.20 + 0.50 = CHF 1.70 | 6.80 + 0.50 = CHF 7.30 |
| from 8 cards | 1.20 + 0.50 = CHF 1.70 | 6.80 + 0.50 = CHF 7.30 |
| from 16 cards | 1.20 + 0.50 = CHF 1.70 | 6.80 + 0.50 = CHF 7.30 |
| Europe | Ordinary Mail | Registered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 card | 1.90 + 0.50 = CHF 2.40 | 8.40 + 0.50 = CHF 9.20 |
| from 2 cards | 3.10 + 0.50 = CHF 3.60 | 9.60 + 0.50 = CHF 10.40 |
| from 8 cards | 4.30 + 0.50 = CHF 4.80 | 10.80 + 0.50 = CHF 11.60 |
| from 16 cards | 7.50 + 0.50 = CHF 8.00 | 14.00 + 0.50 = CHF 14.80 |
| World | Ordinary Mail | Registered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 card | 2.50 + 0.50 = CHF 3.00 | 9.00 + 0.50 = CHF 9.80 |
| from 2 cards | 4.20 + 0.50 = CHF 4.70 | 10.70 + 0.50 = CHF 11.50 |
| from 8 cards | 5.50 + 0.50 = CHF 6.00 | 12.00 + 0.50 = CHF 12.80 |
| from 16 cards | 9.50 + 0.50 = CHF 10.00 | 16.00 + 0.50 = CHF 16.80 |
Many years of experience
The feedback received in recent years has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the speed of delivery, the security measures in place (postcard protection), and the excellent condition of the received merchandise. You can see for yourself by following the link below (button "Nicecards - Feedback")!
Contact form
If you have any questions or requests, or if you would like to be informed of promotional periods or new listings, please use this form. Thank you!