Real Photo Postcards Will Make You Real Money

What it is:

Also known as RPPCs, these are actual photographs that were produced by developing them onto photographic paper the size and weight of a postcard, with the standard postcard back consisting of space for address, message and postage. Most date before 1940, with the heyday being 1910 to 1930.

There are other ways of placing an image on a postcard which are not "real photos".

The easiest way to tell the difference is to use a magnifying glass. If the image is printed, you will see that it is made up of little dots, just like a photo printed in a newspaper. A "real photo" postcard will show no dots under magnification.

What to Look For:

There is a buyer for just about anything except "instant ancestors", those photos of people standing no place in particular, staring at the camera.

Hot areas for collectors include:

• Buildings
• Vehicles
• Street Scenes
• Aviation
• Saloons
• People in unusual dress
• Animals
• Landmarks
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Working (called Occupationals)
• Ships
• Exotic Locales
• Railroads
• Risque/Nudes
  
• the list goes on

The highest prices usually come from identified buildings and street scenes, with occupationals a close second.


Selling Strategies:

Auction Title:

Include "Real Photo" in your title along with the most intriguing description you can come up with for your image. If you RPPC shows a certain city, include it and the state name as well.

Category:

Place in the most appropriate subcategory under:

Collectibles > Postcards & Paper > Postcards > Real Photo

If your image is of a building or street in a particular city, place it in the most appropriate subcategory under:

Collectibles > Postcards & Paper > Postcards > US State, Town Views

Pricing:

Start your bidding at $9.95. Good images will sell for good prices.

Highlights:

Are you ready for this?

• $280 for a 1910s card showing a horse drawn milk wagon.
• $253 for a 1920s card showing Walker's Grove in Plainfield, Illinois.
• $227 for a 1910s card showing main street in Truckee, California.
• $205 for a 1905 card showing the Chester, New Jersey railroad depot.
• $182 for a 1920s card showing and a group of Ohio University sorority girls in black face.
• $173 for a 1910s card showing people dancing in Glendive, Minnesota.
  
• $150 for a 1930s card showing a topless girl in Tahiti.
• $120 for a 1920s card showing a gas station in Maine.
• $106 for a 1930s card showing a world record marlin.
  
• $105 for for a 1920s card showing an extreme close-up of a woman's eyes.
• $99 for a 1910s card showing a horse drawn bread wagon.
• $99 for a 1917 card showing the Bluestone Mine in Mason, Nevada.
  
• $78 for a 1930s view of Sperryville, Virginia.
• $56 for a 1927 card showing boats at Cedar Lake, Indiana.
• $53 for a 1950s card showing fly fishermen.
• $50 for a 1920s card showing a train wreck in Dwight, Illinois.
  

Ease of Shipping:

Simple. Place in a plastic sleeve between three layers of cardboard and slip into an envelope.


Avoid:

Stay away from cards holes, large tears and creases. Also avoid the "instant ancestors" mentioned above.


Target Selling Range (Profit Potential):

Most of your cards will sell in the $10-$20 range, but the upside potential is huge. Many of these cards are one of a kind and collectors know if they let it get away they may never have another chance. If two bidders decide they must have a certain card it can turn what should have been a $20 auction into a $100+ sale.


See For Yourself:

Go see for yourself on eBay. Click Here to see what these items have been selling for. Ignore the listings by knuckleheads who started the bidding at $350 and didn't sell the damn thing.