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

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