Stadium postcards are among the most popular sports collectibles. Their value, however, depends heavily on their age – and that is not always obvious at first glance. This guide sums up how a stadium postcard can be reliably dated.
1. Postmark and stamp
The most reliable clue is a dated postmark. On a postally used card it sets the latest possible date of issue – the postcard must have existed on the day it was sent at the latest. The postage stamp can help too: a stamp catalogue tells you when it was issued and how long it was valid. Note: the postmark gives the date of sending, not the date of printing. A postcard may have lain in a shop for several years.
2. The address side
The layout of the reverse, address side is very useful. The earliest picture postcards had the back reserved for the address only, and the message was written on the picture side. Later the back was divided by a vertical line into a part for the message and a part for the address; individual countries introduced this gradually in the first years of the 20th century. An undivided back therefore usually indicates an older postcard.
3. Publisher and printing details
The address side often names the publisher, printer or photographer. Many publishers were active only in a certain period, so the name alone narrows the time frame. Czechoslovak postcards from the post-war decades often also carry printing and registration details (numerical codes), which usually include an abbreviated year. Names such as “Orbis”, “Pressfoto” or “Pragocolor” also hint at the period a postcard comes from.
4. Printing method and paper
Postcards printed on photographic paper (real photo postcards) differ from those printed by letterpress, collotype or offset. On real photo postcards the photo paper brand on the address side can also help. Glossy colour offset postcards are generally younger than black-and-white real photo postcards. The format can differ as well – besides the classic size there is the elongated DL format.
5. What the picture shows
The stadium itself is often the best “calendar”. Look at the shape of the stands, floodlight masts, scoreboards, advertising boards, as well as cars in the car park or the spectators' clothing. Stadiums were rebuilt, extended and renamed over the years – comparison with historical photographs or the club's history often dates a postcard to within a few years. Stadiums that no longer exist are especially prized by collectors.
6. Unused postcards
If a postcard was never sent, dating relies on the publisher, printing details, printing method and the image. It is better to give it as a range (e.g. “1960s”) than as a single year.
Collector's tip
When buying, always look at both sides of the postcard – the back is often more important for dating than the front. That is why at FANzone we photograph both the front and the back of postcards. Browse our selection of postcards and stadiums.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most reliable way to tell the age of a stadium postcard?
The most reliable clues are a dated postmark and the postage stamp, which set the latest possible date of issue. For an unused postcard, the publisher, printing details, printing method and the appearance of the stadium in the picture help.
Does the date on the postmark match the date the postcard was issued?
Not always. The postmark shows the date of sending. The postcard may have been printed several years earlier, so the postmark only sets the latest possible date of issue.
Why is the back of a postcard important for collectors?
The back usually carries the postmark, stamp, publisher and printing details, and its layout (divided or undivided back) places the postcard in a period. For dating it is therefore often more important than the picture.