We have been collecting antique & vintage postcards since the 1970s and have tried several different ways to store, protect and enjoy our postcard collection.  Here are a few tips -

Safe Storage options

As your collection grows, you will need a practical method of storing your cards that will also protect your investment. 

Select PVC-free and acid-free clear archival sleeves or pages to insure quality storage.  These are not difficult to find (they are available through eBay sellers) and are not expensive.  To save money on album storage, purchase the 3-ring storage pages which fit into a standard 3-ring binder rather than special pages which require pricey "postcard" binders.  The three-ring binders available at office supply stores with clear plastic covers on front and spine make it easy to label the different postcard themes stored in each one.  

Archival quality sleeves are available if you wish to store your postcards in boxes.  If you have an enormous collection, this is a space-efficient way to store it.  Make sure that the boxes you use are moisture-proof to prevent condensation from forming inside the sleeves and damaging your postcards.

We personally prefer binders, so that the collection can easily and safely be looked at and shared.  Not only do friends and family like to see the newest additions, but we sometimes take albums to share in the classroom with school children...this always gets an enthusiastic response!    Plus, we like to group cards from the same set, the same artist, or the same holiday together on the pages in a way that's visually pleasing - after all, postcards are little pieces of art to be looked at and enjoyed!

When selecting a binder, make sure that it has locking rings so that the pages cannot suddenly be released.  One falling-pages accident can damage a lot of postcards. 

For our finest postcards, we purchased a special album that has pocket openings not on the top (as most postcard pages do) and not on the outside (as many other storage pages do, especially the ones in ordinary photo albums)  but on the INSIDE of the album pages, facing the spine.  This prevents the cards accidentally falling out if the album is tilted or held the wrong way up.

Be careful to store your postcards in a dry spot away from heat and moisture to prevent fading, staining or mildew.  Avoid cigarette smoke which leaves an unpleasant odor and turns your postcards brown.

Framing and Display

Framed postcards add a touch of color and charm almost anywhere...We have framed postcards - bathing beauties, scenes of our favorite towns, floral images, and Real Photo Postcard snapshots - in almost every room of our house.  

Make sure you place your framed postcards out of the sun, and away from direct light, to preserve the original colors and prevent fading.

Store mats are either too large or too small for antique/vintage cards, but you can easily use any standard 5X7 frame with our custom-cut perfectly postcard-sized mats in cream or white. You can even convert the great multi-opening frames now available at home discount stores by taping our custom mats behind the existing openings. 

We show some examples on Postcardiva - you'll soon come up with your own great ideas for enjoying and sharing your postcard collection!