What happens at a postcard show
A typical show has anywhere from a handful to dozens of dealer tables. Most dealers bring long boxes of cards filed by state, then by town, plus boxes for topics like holidays, railroads and advertising. Collectors spend hours flipping through, looking for specific towns and subjects. Many shows are organized by regional postcard clubs, which also hold meetings, publish newsletters and welcome newcomers.
Going to a show as a visitor is one of the best ways to learn what cards are worth. You will see what collectors pick up, what is priced at a dollar in the bargain boxes, and what is in the glass cases.
Selling to dealers at a show
Some dealers buy at shows, especially early in the day and at the end. If you want to try:
- Bring a representative sample, not everything. A heavy collection is hard to carry, and dealers can judge from a few albums.
- Ask before you open boxes on someone's table. Dealers are busy selling.
- Expect a quick, cautious offer. A dealer has to resell what they buy and needs room for profit and slow-selling stock.
- Watch for cherry-picking. Many dealers would rather buy the twenty best cards than the whole lot. Selling the best cards separately usually leaves you with a collection that is much harder to sell.
Finding dealers outside of shows
Relatively few postcard dealers keep shops. Most sell at shows and online. You can find them through show listings, club newsletters, and dealer pages on marketplaces. Some will look at photos sent by email, which is essentially the same thing a mail buyer does.
Postcard clubs
Clubs are where serious collectors gather. Members can tell you who specializes in what, which shows are worth attending, and how a particular kind of card sells. Many clubs welcome visitors at meetings, and some have members who collect a specific region and would be interested in local views.
Selling at a show yourself
If you enjoy the hobby, you can rent a table and sell directly. This brings retail prices but takes real preparation: sorting and pricing cards, sleeving the good ones, filing by state and topic, and a full day or two at the show. It is a way to get into the hobby more than a quick way to sell a collection.
Show or mail?
Shows are best for people who live near one and want to meet dealers in person. Selling by mail to a collection buyer is better for large collections, for people far from shows, and for anyone who wants a single price for everything without carrying boxes or watching cards get picked over. With a prepaid, insured label, mailing a collection is simple and safe. The where to sell guide lays out every option side by side.
Tips for any face-to-face sale
- Know roughly what you have before you go. The values guide helps.
- Keep the collection together and offer it as a whole.
- Get offers in writing, even a note on a card, so you can compare them.
- Never feel pressured to accept on the spot.
Questions people ask
How do I find postcard shows near me?
Look for regional postcard clubs, which list their own shows, and for show calendars kept by collector groups and trade publications. Many shows run once or twice a year in the same place, often a hotel ballroom, community center or fairground building.
Do dealers at postcard shows buy collections?
Some do. Others only sell. It is polite to ask whether a dealer is buying before showing them cards, and best to approach during quieter times rather than when they are busy with customers.
Will a dealer pay more than a mail buyer?
Not necessarily. Both are buying to resell. A dealer at a show may pick the best cards and pass on the rest; a buyer of whole collections quotes everything. Compare offers on the same basis: what is being bought and for how much.
Is there an entry fee for postcard shows?
Many shows charge a small admission or none at all. Check the listing before you go.
What should I bring to show a dealer?
A sample: one or two albums or a box of representative cards, plus photos of the rest. Carrying an entire large collection to a show is rarely necessary.
Can I learn about my cards at a show without selling?
Absolutely. Most dealers and collectors are happy to talk about cards, and seeing what is priced where is an education in itself.
A little show etiquette
Shows are friendly, but a few habits make them go better. Ask before handling a dealer's stock, and keep cards in the order you found them. Do not set your own boxes or albums on a dealer's selling table without asking. If you want to sell, approach at a quiet moment and lead with a short description: how many cards, what kinds, where they are from. Dealers are generous with knowledge when they are not juggling customers.
If a dealer is interested, they may ask to see more, or to buy a portion. Be clear from the start whether you are offering the whole collection or not, and get any offer written down so you can compare it calmly later.
Shows are also where you meet the collectors who might one day buy the best cards from your collection through a dealer, so even a visit that ends without a sale teaches you something about what you have and how the hobby values it.
Sources and further reading
Ready to sell? Compare where to sell old postcards, or see how to sell old postcards step by step.