CONDITION & GRADING of Postcards
Commonly Accepted Definitions
in the Postcard Collecting Hobby
Mint [M] = Perfect - Just like the day it was printed - Not Postally Used.
Near Mint [NM] - Very light aging - Not Postally Used.
Excellent [EX] = Like mint in appearance with no bends or creases, or rounded
or blunt corners. May be postally used or unused or with writing on address side.
Postmark ONLY on the address side.
A clean fresh card on the picture side.
Very Good [VG] - Corners may be just a bit rounded. Almost undetectible crease
does not detract from appearance. May be Postally Used, Unused, or have
Writing on the address side.
Good [G] - Corners may be noticeably blunt or rounded with noticeably slight bends
or creases. May be Postally Used, Unused, or have writing on the address side.
Less than VG.
Fair or Poor [FR or PR] = Excess soil, stained, heavy creases, cancellation or
writing that affects picture side of card. Could be a scarce card that is difficult
to find in any condition.
Postcard Books
AGE of Card - Guideline [Abbreviations]
These are NOT EXACT! - A "Guideline"
Undivided Back [Und/B] - 1901-1907
Divided Back [DB] - 1907-1915
White Border [WB] - 1916-1930
Linen era [L] - 1930-1945
Chrome [C] - 1945 and up
Other Abbreviations
b/w - black and white
C - Chrome 1945 and up
cof - cancel on face
crs - crease
cnr - corner
DB - Divided Back 1907-1915
EMB - embossed
FB - Full Bleed - Image goes to Edge of card (No Border)
GS - Gold Stamped
HW - Hand Written
L - Linen era 1930-1945
lt - light
m/t - margin tear
NPU - Not Postally Used
o/w - otherwise
p/ or pub - publisher
pm - postmarked
RP - Real Photo
s/ or sgn - artist signed
s/m - stamp missing
u - used
unu - unused
WB - White Border 1916-1930
WOB - Writing on Back
wof - writing on face
BACK to thepostcard.com