The history of postcards in the United States is a fascinating journey marked by legislative changes, technological advancements, and shifting public tastes. What began as a simple, privately printed card evolved into a popular form of communication and a collectible item, reflecting cultural norms and historical events. This evolution was significantly shaped by acts of Congress and recommendations from postal authorities, leading to distinct eras
in postcard design and usage.
Early Legislative Milestones and Private Initiatives
The earliest days of postcards in America were defined by a congressional act passed on February 27, 1861. This legislation permitted privately printed cards, weighing one ounce or less, to be sent through the mail. In the same year, John P. Charlton secured the copyright for the first postcard in America. The rights to this pioneering card were later acquired by Hymen L. Lipman, who subsequently began reissuing the cards under his own name starting in 1870. These early private cards laid the groundwork for a new method of correspondence, even before government-issued options became available.
The idea of government-produced postal cards gained traction when U.S. Postmaster General John Creswell advocated for one-cent postal cards to Congress in November 1870. This recommendation led to significant legislation passed on June 8, 1872, which officially authorized the government to produce and issue its own postal cards. This marked a crucial turning point, as it standardized the format and made postcards more accessible and affordable to the general public, paving the way for their widespread adoption.
The Advent of the "Divided Back" Era
Further significant changes in postcard regulations occurred in the early 20th century. The Universal Postal Congress issued a decree stating that government-issued postcards in the United States could include messages on the address side, a change that took effect on March 1, 1907. Recognizing the implications of this international standard, the United States Congress followed suit, passing an act on the same date that extended this privilege to privately produced cards as well. These legislative adjustments were further refined by orders from the U.S. Postmaster-General later that year.
These regulatory shifts ushered in what is known as the "divided back" era of postcards, a period that continued until World War I. On these cards, the back was distinctly separated into two sections. The left side was designated for the sender's message, allowing for more personal communication, while the right side was reserved exclusively for the recipient's address. This design innovation greatly enhanced the functionality and appeal of postcards, making them a more versatile and popular medium for sending brief notes and greetings across the country.
Postcards and Public Exhibitions
Beyond legislative changes, world's fairs and expositions played a significant role in popularizing postcards in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Interstate Industrial Exposition, held in Chicago in 1873, was the first event to be featured on an early advertising postcard. However, this card was not intended as a souvenir. The distinction of being the first postcard explicitly printed as a souvenir in the United States goes to those created for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, also in Chicago. For this event, private distributors printed 120 different images of the exposition on government postal cards. Among the most sought-after were Charles W. Goldsmith's set of ten full-color postcard designs, showcasing the exposition buildings. Both governmental postal cards and private souvenir cards featuring buildings and grounds from these expositions became highly popular, demonstrating the growing cultural significance of postcards as mementos and visual records of important events.
