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Collecting Whitney Made Vintage Postcards

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Whitney Made Postcards

Are you a vintage postcard collector? Many people are...in fact vintage postcard collectors have a name. Deltioligists collect and study vintage postcards. Not only do I collect postcards for the beautiful images but I love the history and messages on the back of the postcards.

One of my favorite vintage postcard/card companies is Whitney Made Worcester Massachusetts. Whitney made postcards were manufactured in Worcester, Massachusetts from 1866 to 1942. The intro image is a Whitney made Christmas postcard from one of the most collectible series, the Nimble Nicks line. I started collecting vintage postcards when I came across a package of postcards at a garage sale. For $5.00 I acquired about 300 vintage holiday postcards. I loved the beautiful graphics, the messages on the back and the illustrators and artists renditions of the holidays. After studying up on collecting vintage postcards I was hooked. If you're a beginning collector you can read more about taking care of your postcard collection.

Updated: May 30, 2012

Contents at a Glance

The History of Whitney Made Postcards
Rare Whitney Made Vintage Postcards
Whitney Made Valentines
Collecting Vintage Postcards
Saving Money on Vintage Postcards
Whitney Made Halloween Postcards
Whitney Made Christmas Postcards
Collecting Nimble Nicks
The look of Whitney Made Vintage Postcar...
Do You Collect Whitney Made Vintage Post...

The History of Whitney Made Postcards

It's well know that George C. Whitney began a stationary shop in Worcester, Massachusetts at the turn of the century, the golden era of penny postcards. As postcards and chromolithography became popular more American publishers starting manufacturing postcards in America rather than buy German postcards. George Whitney bought existing Valentine card businesses and started a line of Valentines Day postcards and greeting cards that became very popular through the 1940's. Whitney employed the popular artists of the time and did series of postcards that become sought after and collectible.

Rare Whitney Made Vintage Postcards

Whitney Made Valentines

Whitney made Valentines have become very collectible because of their charming illustrations, many featuring young children. Look for Valentines with gold trim, vivid colors, embossing, die cuts and lace.

Collecting Vintage Postcards

Saving Money on Vintage Postcards

Buy Bulk Vintage Postcard Lots

If you're looking to buy vintage postcards, I recommend buying bulk vintage postcard lots. Look for lots on online auction sites such as eBay or Goodwill or check local auction houses. While vintage Halloween postcards are the most expensive there are still deals to be had on vintage Santa postcards and other vintage holiday postcards. I like to pick and choose my favorite postcards and then sell the ones that don't fit into my collection online. I've made a lot of money selling vintage cat postcards and other vintage holiday postcards.

Whitney Made Halloween Postcards

Whitney made Halloween postcards once sold for $5-$10; but now it seems like postcard collectors have discovered the charm of Whitney Made. There are many series of Halloween postcards that collectors look for including the very popular Black Cat with Mice Halloween series.

Whitney Made Christmas Postcards

Kewpie's and Nimble Nicks Christmas postcards

Whitney postcards were popular because they employed the beloved illustrators of the day. One of the first Whitney made postcards I found so charming in my $5.00 stack of vintage postcards was a Rose O'Neill Kewpie Christmas postcard. Rose O'Neill's illustrations were much loved by Americans and the Kewpie line became much sought after.

Another popular collectible line for the Whitney company was the Nimble Nicks Christmas postcards, these vintage characters feature two imps dressed as Santa's helper in bright red suits. Whitney manufactured postcards, illustrated die-cut books, easel stand-ups and other products that featured Nimble Nicks from Christmas Land.

Holly Crowned Father Christmas and Child

Buy This at Allposters.com

Collecting Nimble Nicks

The look of Whitney Made Vintage Postcards

I look for Whitney Made postcards at garage sales, flea markets, antique malls or on online auction sites. Because they are just starting to get some attention from collectors they can usually be bought for $1.00-$25.00. The higher priced Whitney made postcards are for Whitney Made Halloween postcards or for Whitney made series.

The Whitney look is sometimes thought of as too "cute" for serious vintage postcard collectors but I am drawn to the simple images. Many collectors that like Whitney Made are also fans of Mary Englebreit.

Do You Collect Whitney Made Vintage Postcards?

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MJsConsignments May 9, 2012 @ 12:12 pm | delete

You've done a great job covering the history of Witney cards, a personal favorite of mine, with this lens. Love it!

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SheilaMilne Apr 26, 2012 @ 6:08 am | delete

I agree that buying bulk lots on ebay is the way to go. I rarely manage to part with any of my cards though....

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LaraineRose Dec 11, 2011 @ 6:06 pm | delete

I have seen some of those postcards a long time ago. I have been collecting postcards for a long time but never thought of selling them. Hmmm Thank you for writing about this.
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