Collecting & Appreciation
Postcard Collecting (Deltiology)
Preserve history and art by collecting vintage and contemporary postcards.
Reviewed May 18, 2026
Social
Solo
Where
At home
Depth
Lifelong craft
Sessions
30–60 min sessions
Physical
Sedentary
Learning
Easy to start
Starter cost
~$59 to start
Portable
Is this for you?
You'll enjoy this if
- You like carefully looking through many similar items for small differences.
- You are happy spending time organizing and storing objects just so.
- You love learning about history and art through tangible little pieces.
Not for you if
- You need constant, fast-paced action and quick rewards from your activities.
- You thrive on physical activity and lots of direct social interaction.
- You quickly lose interest in static objects requiring close inspection.
Tends to suit:The ScholarThe StrategistThe Observer
Learning path
Getting started
1
Buy your first postcards
Start with a theme: a specific town, artist, or era (pre-1920 real photo postcards, 1950s Americana). A small theme prevents the paralysis of buying everything.
2
Learn divided back vs undivided back eras
Pre-1907 postcards have undivided backs (message and address share one side). Post-1907 backs have a printed dividing line. Era identification is the first dating tool.
3
Create a simple catalogue
A spreadsheet with date, location, publisher, condition, and purchase price. Retroactively cataloguing a large collection is tedious and often incomplete.
Contribution and expertise
Contribute scans to a postcard archive
Playle's, the British Postcard Collectors community, or local historical societies accept high-resolution scans for research databases.
Donate a significant local card to a museum or archive
Local history centres actively seek topographical postcards of their area. A well-documented card with provenance has genuine archival value.
Learn it faster
Take a beginner Postcard Collecting (Deltiology) course
A structured course is the fastest way past the awkward beginner stage. Browse highly-rated postcard collecting (deltiology) classes for beginners.
What you'll need
You might also like
Frequently asked questions
What is Postcard Collecting (Deltiology)?
Preserve history and art by collecting vintage and contemporary postcards.
How much does Postcard Collecting (Deltiology) cost to start?
Our curated Tier 1 gear picks for Postcard Collecting (Deltiology) total about $59 USD before tax and shipping. Real spend varies by brand and what you already own—open the Tools & gear tab on this profile for itemized picks.
Is Postcard Collecting (Deltiology) good for beginners?
It depends on your taste for the tradeoffs on this page. One editor “pro” signal: You like carefully looking through many similar items for small differences. Pair that with the “Not for you if…” list before you buy serious gear.
How do I get started with Postcard Collecting (Deltiology) on HobbyStack?
Skim the fit check on this Overview, then open the Guides tab on this profile for articles when available. Use the Path tab to track milestones and the Tools & gear tab for starter picks (create a free account to save progress).
What gear do I need for Postcard Collecting (Deltiology)?
When a tools page is enabled for Postcard Collecting (Deltiology), you will see recommended picks on the Tools & gear tab. Until then, use the Path milestones and any linked resources for purchase hints.
Hobby finder
Get matched to hobbies like this →Want hobbies that fit your life, not just this page?
Take the free quiz to rank the full catalog by your time, motivation, and setup — about five minutes.
Your path
Checkpoints & milestones
5 stages · 20 milestones
Track your progress with Postcard Collecting (Deltiology)
Tick off milestones as you go — from first session to confident practitioner. Progress saves to your account so you can pick up where you left off.
Buy your first postcards
Start with a theme: a specific town, artist, or era (pre-1920 real photo postcards, 1950s Americana). A small theme prevents the paralysis of buying everything.
Find gearLearn divided back vs undivided back eras
Pre-1907 postcards have undivided backs (message and address share one side). Post-1907 backs have a printed dividing line. Era identification is the first dating tool.
Create a simple catalogue
A spreadsheet with date, location, publisher, condition, and purchase price. Retroactively cataloguing a large collection is tedious and often incomplete.
Join the deltiology community
r/Deltiology on Reddit; the Deltiologists of America have a forum and annual show directory.
Find a community
Beginner essentials
~$59
Core gear to get going. Estimates from curated picks; actual spend varies.
Intermediate
+~$80
Nice-to-have upgrades once you know you are sticking with it.
Links open Amazon with your affiliate tag. Prices are ballpark catalog values.
Shop starter kits on Amazon