Library's Postcards collect honors

The University Library’s electronic Postcard Collection, which includes more than 2,000 postcards of scenes in Delaware and nearby areas, has been named to the Hall of Fame of The Collectors Weekly, a web site for collectors and antique enthusiasts.

Postcards in the collection [fletcher.lib.udel.edu/collections/dpc/index.htm] date mainly from the end of the 19th century to the mid-20th century, although there also are cards from throughout the latter part of the 20th century. Most of the postcards in the collection were commercially produced and represent well-known Delaware buildings, monuments and views, such as the state capitol in Dover, Wilmington’s downtown buildings and historic structures and Rehoboth’s beaches and boardwalks.

However, a number of the cards depict small-town life in Delaware, including street scenes and domestic buildings. Besides documenting the built landscape of Delaware as it existed during the last 100 years, some cards provide images of buildings that no longer exist, and some of these images may not exist in any other format.

Along with buildings, the collection also represents aspects of social life in Delaware during the past century. Some of the cards were produced privately and are photographs that have been printed onto postcard paper. These were created by individuals for their own small circle of family and friends and were not mass-produced or sold in retail stores. These postcards document many aspects of society, including firefighters at work, literary societies and sports teams.

The collection also contains images of places outside the state, most notably Longwood Gardens in nearby Kennett Square, Pa.

Postcards are not only visual records. Many of the postcards were mailed and contain written messages, stamps and postmarks. The backs of the cards were printed with information about the publisher and with captions describing the image and ornament. The printed text, along with the stamp and postmark, can help to date and place the manufacture and use of the postcards.

The Collectors Weekly highlights web sites with deep reference content, reflecting unique collections that demonstrate “a passion for collecting.” It cites the UD Library Postcard Collection as one of the “best on the web.”