St. Louis and the 1904 fair
St. Louis was one of the largest cities in the country at the start of the postcard era, and its 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition was one of the biggest world's fairs ever held. Fair cards were produced in huge numbers, so most official views are common, but unusual exhibits, hold-to-light cards and real photos are more collectible. See exposition postcards. St. Louis's levee, Eads Bridge, breweries, Union Station and neighborhoods also appear on cards.
Kansas City
Kansas City's stockyards, boulevards, Union Station, streetcars and busy downtown appear on many cards. The 1903 flood on the Kansas and Missouri rivers was photographed. Real photos of neighborhoods, businesses and events are more interesting than printed landmark views.
River towns
Hannibal, made famous by Mark Twain, Cape Girardeau, Ste. Genevieve, St. Charles, Boonville, Lexington, Jefferson City and St. Joseph sit along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Steamboats, levees, ferries and floods appear on real photo cards popular with river collectors. Hannibal's Mark Twain sites were printed heavily.
The Ozarks
The Ozark hills of southern Missouri had mills, small towns, float trips on rivers such as the Current and the James, and resorts. The Lake of the Ozarks, formed by Bagnell Dam in 1931, became a resort area, and early cards of the dam's construction and lake resorts are collected. Real photos of Ozark mills, stores and float trips are popular.
Lead and zinc
Southeastern Missouri's Lead Belt, around Flat River, Bonne Terre and Desloge, was among the largest lead-producing districts in the world, and the Tri-State district around Joplin and Webb City produced zinc and lead. Real photos of mines, mills and miners are collected.
Route 66
Route 66 crossed Missouri from St. Louis through Rolla, Lebanon, Springfield, Carthage and Joplin. Named motor courts, cafes, gas stations and attractions such as Meramec Caverns are collected. See Route 66 and roadside postcards.
Places and subjects to look for
- St. Louis: the 1904 fair, the levee, Eads Bridge and neighborhoods.
- Kansas City: the stockyards, Union Station and streets.
- River towns: Hannibal, Cape Girardeau, Ste. Genevieve and St. Joseph.
- The Ozarks: mills, float trips, resorts and the Lake of the Ozarks.
- Mining districts: the Lead Belt and the Joplin area.
- Route 66: motor courts, cafes and attractions.
- Courthouse squares in county seats across the state.
Courthouse towns
Missouri has 114 counties, and its county seats were often built around courthouse squares. Real photos of squares on trade days, with wagons and crowds, are popular with collectors of these towns.
Interurbans and railroads
Interurban lines connected Kansas City, St. Joseph, Springfield and towns around them, and railroads such as the Frisco and the Missouri Pacific crossed the state. Depot and interurban real photos are collected.
Real photos versus printed views
St. Louis, the 1904 fair, Kansas City and Hannibal were printed heavily. Real photos of small towns, river scenes, mining, Ozark life and roadside businesses carry most of the value in a Missouri collection.
What is common
Official 1904 fair views, St. Louis and Kansas City landmarks, Mark Twain sites and later chrome Lake of the Ozarks cards are plentiful.
Why mixed Missouri collections reward a close look
Because the 1904 fair produced so many cards, Missouri collections often contain stacks of common fair views. It is easy to assume the whole lot is ordinary. But the same collections frequently hold real photos of small towns, river landings or mining camps that are far less common. Describing the whole collection, rather than just the fair cards, is the best way to make sure those cards are noticed.
Questions about Missouri postcards
Are 1904 World's Fair postcards valuable? Most official views are common; unusual exhibits, hold-to-lights and real photos are more collectible.
Are Missouri lead mining postcards collectible? Yes, real photos of mines, mills and miners are collected.
Are Route 66 postcards from Missouri worth anything? Named motor courts, cafes and gas stations are collected.
Do you buy Missouri collections? Yes, complete collections from anywhere in the state, by mail.