I mentioned in my last post that I had stooped to buying postcards as I so rarely see new ones to purchase or get any sent to me. So for an Easter holiday gift to myself I recently bought a couple Easter postcards. Before greetings cards were popular, people would give holiday greetings via holiday postcards.
At a postcard show in February, I purchased this specimen below as I was particularly impressed by its three dimensional quality.
Here is the back:
Postcard caption:
“Made in Germany”
Postcard message:
“Dear Grace. Hope you are better. Auntie Viola.
I have quite a few postcards from my great grand-father’s collection that are embossed. I am not an expert on postcard making and printing techniques, but this seems a different technique as the raised portions of the card are much more 3D than just the low relief of my embossed samples.
Another difference from the embossed postcards as the front image seems to have been printed on a separate piece of paper and then glued to the main body of the postcard. With my embossed postcard you can see on their backs how the 3D portions are essentially punched out from the paper.
I’m wondering if this is a new type of postcard for the Collection? I recently heard about “bas relief” postcards – and I’m thinking this is an example of this.
I assume that this postcard was made around the turn of the last century. It is not surprising that it was made in Germany, as they were leaders in print-making back then. I’m impressed by how well the relief portions have survived without being squashed. I’m not sure if this was ever mailed (or was it hand delivered) considering its great quality – it certainly wouldn’t have survived our modern postal system machines. Sadly, there is no stamp or postmark to place its origins.
Despite these mysteries, this postcards is definitely my holiday treat. I hope the Easter Bunny also brought you some treats this year!