There are dishonest people in the world who will do just about anything to make a buck, and, unfortunately, they are also on eBay. I recently purchased some postcards that were advertised as vintage or antique, and when I received them, I became quite suspicious when I saw fine bits of paper or "chads" dangling from many of the cards from having only recently been cut . The cards were all in what I would consider mint condition and had not been postmarked, a fact that is highly unlikely for more than 450 postcards that were supposed to be from the early 1920s or earlier. I decided to investigate a bit more.

I took some of the cards to an antiques dealer, and he immediately declared that they were reproductions. He informed me that there have been widespread reproductions made of antique postcards, especially of cards where these were all from on the west coast of the United States. On closer inspection I, too, could see some of the images of the cards on the back of the cards from where they had been in a stack of identical postcards. Antique printing presses would not have provided opportunities for this to happen because the cards would not have been cut until the ink was dry, and there would not be heat-related transfer of images or print. In many cases, the print on the back was lighter than the print on the front and appeared faded in areas. On some postcards the stamp area had been cut partially off because the print was obviously not aligned correctly with the front of the card.

I also took the cards to a professional printer who pointed out to me several things to look for when I question any future "antique" postcards. Using an eraser on a pencil, I could partially erase some of the print which could not be done with real antique postcards. Some of the colors were extremely bright, almost neon-like, colors that were not available in the early 1900s. When these cards were turned to the light, I could see where the colors were layered in much the same way a lazer jet or injet printer would do with colors today.

I am a seller on eBay, and I take pride in being an honest dealer. Unfortunately not all dealers have the same value system that I have so buyers must be careful. If you receive a lot of postcards that appear too good to be true, check carefully and do not accept reproductions. Be especially wary of postcards that are described as antique or vintage cards from the early 1900s in large unused lots. It is highly ulikely that multiple quantities of these unused antique postcards exist today. Most of the publishers of these early postcards have been out of business for many, many years. (Vintage chrome or linen postcards can be found in large unused lots because publishers often sell their unsold stock to postcard dealers.)

If you suspect that you have received reproductions, notify the seller immediately and ask for a full refund. Do not be swayed by a claim that they do not sell reproductions or that they have been in the business for years. Please do not try to sell these cards on eBay and pass them along to another unsuspecting buyer. Leave negative feedback for the seller so others will not duped. Honest sellers and buyers must band together to make eBay a safe trading place for everyone.