Before the days of Facebook and Instagram connecting people across the world instantly, postcards served as a simple and relatively quick form of communication. Since their emergence in the late nineteenth century, postcards have been both a tool of communication, as well as a time capsule of history and culture. They have documented changes to the natural and built environment, social changes such as fashion and humor, and changes in human connection.
Pre-Postcard Period (1848-1870) and Pioneer Period (1870-1898)
The first commercially produced card was created in 1861 by John P. Charlton, after the U. S. Congress passed an act to allow small, privately printed cards to be sent through the mail. These postal cards were patented as private post card and the rights were sold to Hymen Lipman; thus, becoming known as “Lipman’s Postal Card.” Around this time, Austria began issues mailing cards with imprinted postage known as postal cards. Due to the success of postal cards in Europe, the Postmaster General began lobbying Congress to allow for them in the United States. In 1872, Congress passed further legislation which led to the first government-produced postcards.
Postcard from St. Mary’s Academy, Leonardtown, MD [Front]. Although the postcard has a note that it is dated 1885, it is unlikely that this was printed prior to 1907.
Postcard from St. Mary’s Academy, Leonardtown, MD [Back]. This postcard was likely printed after 1907 when the “divided back” became the standard for postcard printing. The date 1885 could refer to the date of the original photograph used for the image on the front of the card. Dating postcards can often be tricky for this reason as images are reproduced or reused during later printing dates.
Private Mailing Card Period (1898-1901)
During this period, the postcard began to gain in popularity as privately printed cards were mass-produced to the public. At this time, the majority of the postcards sold prior to World War I were printed in Germany. The phrase “Private Mailing Card” was to be printed on the address side per the Act of May 19, 1898 which authorized special postage for postcards.
Postcard from SCN Motherhouse, Nazareth, KY [Front].
Postcard of SCN Motherhouse, Nazareth, KY [Back]. This postcard has the signature “Private Mailing Card” of the time period. The handwritten note reads “The old convent during a snowstorm; razed during 1904.”
Postcard (Undivided Back) Period (1901-1907)
This period was characterized by the picture on the front of the postcard and a back entirely devoted to the address. This meant the postcard sender had to write over the image on the front of the card or get creative with their messages. Also, during this period, the words “Private Mailing Card” were replaced with “Postcard” on the cards themselves. Postcards also became more popular to collect rather than seen exclusively as a means of communication. This increase in popularity was also due to developments in photography in companies such as Kodak that developed cameras that produced images that were easier to transfer to postcards.
Postcard from the SCN Motherhouse, Nazareth, KY [Front]. Since messages were not allowed on the backs of the postcards, the author of this postcard was lucky to find that the image left ample space for a quick message. The message reads “Dear Margaret, This is a beautiful and spacious place. Virgia Stule [sic]”
Postcard from SCN Motherhouse, Nazareth, KY [Back].
Divided Back Period (1907 – 1915)
In 1907, the U.S. Congress passed legislation that allowed postcard messages to be placed on the back of the card alongside the address, typically separated by a thin, printed line. This period, extending into the 1920s, is also often considered the “Golden Age of Postcards” as postcards and postcard collecting peaked in popularity. It is also worth noting that women contributed greatly to postcard craze as it was found that women sent three times as many, and received four times as many postcard compared to men, from a study of early twentieth century post cards.
Postcard from Nazareth Academy and College, Nazareth, KY [Front]. This postcard dated 1912 is a great example of how postcards can be useful in archival research. Aside from the date given, the image offers valuable clues about the changes that have occurred on the campus over the years. In this image we see certain structures and landscapes that do not exist anymore, such as the rose arbor to the left, and the farm windmill to the back right. We can also see changes to the general landscape with the additions of roads and the loss of certain trees on the grounds. Another important note is the change in structures such as the church spires when the church was renovated years later.
Postcard from Nazareth Academy and College, Nazareth, KY [Back]. The divided back to include both message and address emerges around this time.
Postcard from Sacred Heart Academy, Helena, AR [Front]. Although this postcard has no date, it is likely printed prior to 1920, when Sacred Heart Academy moved to a new school building. Just as with the previous postcard from Nazareth, this image can be helpful for identifying the natural and structural changes of a particular place or location.
Postcard from Sacred Heart Academy, Helena, AR [Back]. As with many of the postcards at this time, this one was printed in Germany as seen on the note on the left edge of the card.
White Border Period (1916 – 1930)
Due to the political and economic changes of World War I, the production of postcards transitioned from Germany to the United States. Since the American printers did not meet the standards of German techniques, sales of postcards began to decline. The white border typically appears on postcards printed during this time as a sign of cost-saving measures used by American printers.
Postcard from Nazareth Academy and College, Nazareth, KY [Front]. This post card contains several images of spaces that have since been converted from their days as a part of the academy and college. The presbytery, formerly the rectory for priests, now serves as the Guest House on campus. The auditorium, formerly known as Gardiner Auditorium, is a part of the Nazareth Villages. The academic department, still known as O’Connell Hall, now houses Heritage Hall as well as administrative offices for the SCN Congregation.
Postcard from Nazareth Academy and College, Nazareth, KY [Back].
Postcard from the former VSC Motherhouse, Pittsburgh, PA. This postcard features the signature white border, used to save costs for American printers. This image also includes something unique that has not been shown in the other postcards, which is the presence of Sisters in the image. The inclusion of people in postcard imagery can be helpful for noting fashion trends and changes, in this instance, changes to the VSC habit over the years.
Postcard from VSC Motherhouse, Pittsburgh, PA [Back].
Linen Period (1930 – 1945)
Postcards began to be printed with a paper that gave the look that they were printed on linen, noted by the distinct rough surface of the paper. Linen postcards remained popular until around World War II.
Postcard from St. Vincent Academy, Union County, KY [Front]. If you look closely at the surface of the card, you may notice it appears textured. Postcards printed during this time were printed on paper with high rag content, meaning they contained cotton fibers instead of wood pulp. This contributes to the linen-like feel of the materials.
Postcard from St. Vincent Academy, Union County, KY [Back]. Sister Mary Ildefonsa Mallet sent a quick note from Union, KY to Sister Ann Roberta Powers in Nazareth, KY. Postcards provided a form of quick communication that did not require lengthy letters, envelopes, and expensive postage.
Postcard from West Hospital, Monett, MO [Front]. West Hospital was gifted to the Vincentian Sisters of Charity and renamed St. Vincent’s Hospital.
Postcard from West Hospital, Monett, MO [Back].
Postcard from St. Vincent’s Hospital, Monett, MO [Front]. Dr. West donated the West Hospital to the Vincentian Sisters of Charity in 1944. In addition to its name change to St. Vincent’s, it became a religious institution. This change is noted in the addition of the cross added over the front doorway from the previous postcard above.
Postcard from St. Vincent’s Hospital, Monett, MO [Back].
Photochrome Period (1945-Present)
After World War II, postcards declined in popularity as more convenient methods of communication emerged. During this period, postcards entered what is known as the Photochrome Period. The photochrome postcard is the type most people are familiar with today, featuring a glossy photographic image printed on the front.
Postcard from Nazareth College, Nazareth, KY [Front]. This postcard features a glossy photograph of the Lodge that was formerly part of the college campus. Can you guess what this stylish, retro room is today? It is our very own SCN Archival Center!
Postcard from Nazareth College, Nazareth, KY [Back].
Postcard from former VSC Motherhouse, Pittsburgh, PA [Front].
Postcard from former VSC Motherhouse, Pittsburgh, PA [Back].
Although postcards are no longer a primary form of communication, they remain valuable historical records and cherished collectibles. Their images and messages provide a unique glimpse into the people, places, and events that shaped everyday life throughout the past century.
Sources:
“Greetings from the Smithsonian: A Postcard History.” Smithsonian Institution Archives. Accessed May 28, 2026. https://siarchives.si.edu/history/featured-topics/postcard/postcard-history
United States Postal Service Historian. “Stamped cards and post cards.” United States Postal Service. September 2014. Accessed May 26, 2026. https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/pdf/stamped-cards-and-postcar....