Are old postcards valuable?

Old postcards can be valuable depending on their condition, rarity, age and the images they feature. The world's oldest postcard, sent in 1840, sold for almost $50,000. This postcard was colored by hand and featured caricatures of postal service workers.

Some of the most valuable postcards are ones that have no tears or creases. In addition, a postcard with a real photo is often more valuable than one with an illustration. Usually, these "real photo" postcards feature the main street of a town, or important buildings in a town. Some collectors also value postcards from towns that no longer exist, or even more exotic, those sent from ships.