The Postcard

The United Postal Service defines a postcard as:
rectangular, at least 3-½ inches high x 5 inches long x .007 inch thick
and no more than 4-¼ inches high x 6 inches long x .016 inches thick.


Deltiology is the study and collection of postcards. Compared to philately, the identification of a postcard's place and time of production can often be an impossible task because postcards, unlike stamps, are produced in a decentralised, unregulated manner. For this reason, serious collectors may choose to limit their acquisitions to cards by specific artists and publishers, or by time and location.

Philately is the study of revenue and postage stamps. This includes the design, production and uses of stamps after they are authorized for issue, usually by government authorities, the most common one being postal authorities. Although many equate it with stamp collecting, it is a distinct activity. For instance, philatelists will study extremely rare stamps without expecting to own copies of them, whether because of cost, or because the sole survivors are in museums. Conversely, stamp collecting is the acquisition of stamps, at times without regard for origin or usage.

I decided to look up postcard. I just linked from definition to definition - it was interesting to just read these bites. Thank you information super highway.