Travel Treasures Worth Big Bucks Today
They once cost just a few cents and were mailed across the country with short notes and beautiful images. But today, some vintage postcards are worth serious cash—especially those with rare artwork, historical significance, or famous origins.
Linen Travel Postcards (1930s–40s)
Estimated value: $25–$50
Bright and bold with soft-textured paper, linen postcards featuring national parks or highways are rising in value—especially unused ones in mint condition.
Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, Wikimedia Commons
Halloween Postcards (Early 1900s)
Estimated value: $50–$100
Early Halloween cards with witches, black cats, or pumpkins are spooky collector favorites. Artists like Ellen Clapsaddle increase the price.
Elen Clapsaddle S. Garre, Wikimedia Commons
Real Photo Postcards (1900s–1920s)
Estimated value: $75–$125
Known as RPPCs, these cards are actual photographs developed onto postcard paper. Subjects like disasters, trains, or town scenes bring higher values.
AnonymousUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Trolley Car Scenes (1910s)
Estimated value: $100–$150
Vintage streetcar or electric rail postcards from major U.S. cities have a niche following. Colorized or printed in Germany are especially sought after.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Expo and World’s Fair Cards (1893–1939)
Estimated value: $125–$175
Postcards from events like the 1893 Chicago World's Fair are historic gems. Cards showing pavilions, technology, or crowds hold top value.
American Lithographic Co, Wikimedia Commons
Vintage Artist-Signed Cards
Estimated value: $150–$200
Postcards signed by popular illustrators like Clapsaddle, Tuck, or Brundage can command high prices—especially holiday or romance-themed ones.
Ellen Clapsaddle, Wikimedia Commons
Undivided Back Cards (Pre-1907)
Estimated value: $175–$225
Before postcard backs were split for writing, messages were squeezed onto the image front. These are among the earliest and most collectible.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Tuck’s Oilette Series (Early 1900s)
Estimated value: $200–$300
These artistic postcards feature oil painting reproductions printed in England. Series with castles, fairy tales, or military themes bring top dollar.
Mark Crombie, Wikimedia Commons
Civil War Monument Cards
Estimated value: $250–$350
Early 20th-century cards depicting Civil War sites or statues are popular with both history buffs and regional collectors.
Published by S. Langsdorf & Co., Wikimedia Commons
Pioneer Postcards (Pre-1898)
Estimated value: $300–$400
The earliest form of U.S. postcards, often government-issued and text-only. Extremely rare, especially with postal cancels.
Published by J. N. Chamberlain, en:Cottage City, Mass., Wikimedia Commons
Baseball Stadium Postcards (1910s–30s)
Estimated value: $400–$500
Depicting early stadiums like Ebbets Field or Wrigley, these cards are a home run for sports memorabilia fans.
Boston Public Library, Wikimedia Commons
Titanic Memorial Cards (1912)
Estimated value: $500–$700
Postcards created after the Titanic tragedy—especially with original postmarks from 1912—are highly collectible and emotional pieces.
Metropolitan Opera, NYC, Artist: Pierre Troubetzkoy (1864-1936), Wikimedia Commons
Unusual Disaster Cards
Estimated value: $600–$800
Real photo postcards showing floods, fires, and tornadoes from the early 1900s are valued for their raw look at history.
unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
African American RPPCs (Early 1900s)
Estimated value: $750–$1,000
Candid or posed RPPCs showing African American life during segregation are extremely rare and important social documents.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Santa Claus Postcards (1900–1920)
Estimated value: $800–$1,200
Cards with old-world Santa, especially by Clapsaddle or Whitney, are treasured by Christmas collectors.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Zeppelin Airship Postcards (1930s)
Estimated value: $1,000–$1,500
Depicting German zeppelins or onboard mail postmarks, these cards document early air travel and carry sky-high value.
Bergen Public Library Norway, Wikimedia Commons
‘Greetings from’ Chrome Cards (1930s–50s)
Estimated value: $1,500–$2,000
Oversized state name cards with bold colors and stylized fonts are now mid-century modern design favorites—mint condition ones are rare.
Civil Rights Era Marches (1960s RPPCs)
Estimated value: $2,000–$3,000
Rarely produced but powerful, RPPCs of civil rights marches, rallies, or figures like MLK are extremely valuable historically and monetarily.
Route 66 Americana Cards
Estimated value: $2,500–$3,500
Gas stations, diners, and motels along Route 66 are beloved by collectors and road trip nostalgia lovers.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Amelia Earhart Tribute Cards (1930s)
Estimated value: $3,000–$4,000
Postcards produced after her disappearance are rare and often part of special commemorative issues.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Hand-Colored Japanese Postcards (1900–1920)
Estimated value: $4,000–$5,000
Beautifully painted by hand, these early 20th-century cards are now collected worldwide for their artistry and rarity.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Coney Island Real Photos (1900s)
Estimated value: $5,000–$6,000
RPPCs showing freak shows, roller coasters, and beach crowds are peak nostalgia—and hard to find.
Unknown photographer, Wikimedia Commons
Signed Celebrity Postcards (Silent Film Era)
Estimated value: $6,000–$7,500
Postcards signed by stars like Charlie Chaplin or Mary Pickford bring top dollar, especially with vintage postmarks.
Beam, Charles W., Wikimedia Commons
Lincoln Assassination Memorial Cards
Estimated value: $8,000–$10,000
Cards printed in the 1860s to memorialize Abraham Lincoln are extremely rare and considered museum-quality.
Internet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons
Pony Express Commemorative Cards (1860s Originals)
Estimated value: $10,000+
The holy grail of postcard collecting, early cards related to the Pony Express are historically significant and command jaw-dropping prices.
Pony Express, Wikimedia Commons
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