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bobsbooksandcollectables · ‎06-20-2004

I know, book values don't tell you what a buyer will be willing to pay. The only value a object has when you go to sell it is what the buyer is willing to pay. I'd like to know where to get book values on postcards. If anyone could help me with this it would be great. Thanks in advance for any help.

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tornado-lynn · ‎06-21-2004

"The only value a object has when you go to sell it is what the buyer is willing to pay." Boy, that's true! I was born in Gainesville, Georgia. There are several of us on eBay that bid on postcards from that location...at first, prices were reasonable (less than $12). Once we bought a few of the 1936 Gainesville Tornado postcards for $25-$30, the prices on many of the old Gainesville postcards have gone out of sight...most starting at >$20. Ouch! Lynn

dmhcollectibles · ‎06-21-2004

The best source I've come across (not totally comprehensive, but the best out there in my opinion) is J.L. Mashburn's "The Postcard Price Guide. I have the 4th ed. (I think that's the most recent one) and consult it a lot. It's illustrated also. Should be available at a lot of different places for around $20 or a bit less I think. Hope that helps! 🙂

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martyfoley · ‎06-24-2004

The value is relative to the current demand. Simply put if more than 1 person is interested in the same card they will bid against each other to whatever they are willing to pay. We don't know the final value ahead of time, hence there are price guides which can give you ballpark values. There are many factors associated with value. Condition, age, print or real photo, used or unused, even the publisher, stamp affixed, postal cancellation etc. can affect the value. I find the best way is to place the lowest price possible you can afford to sell it for, on the card and let the current market demand dictate the price. At auction the name of the game is to get as many postential bidders interested in your card as possible and get the bids. If the card does not get a bid, just put it away and try again next year!