Reference

The six eras of the American postcard

American postcards sort into six eras, each defined by a rule change or a printing technology — which is why a card's physical form dates it. The wizard walks you to the right era in six questions; these pages are the deeper reference.

Private Mailing Card era

1898–1901

Undivided Back era

1901–1907

Divided Back era (the Golden Age)

1907–1915

White Border era

1915–1930

Linen era

1930–1945

Photochrome (Chrome) era

1945–present