[press release]
NATIONAL POSTCARD WEEK MAY 6-13
FREE CARDS AND POSTAGE AT THE SPELLMAN MUSEUM
THE POSTCARD – THE ORIGINAL TWEET/INSTAGRAM

The first week in May marks National Postcard Week. Early in the 20th century, postcard enthusiasts sent “Postcard Day” postcards on May 1st, but the modern observance began in 1984 as a way to promote postcard collecting and sending. Don’t toss that shoebox of old postcards you found in grandma’s attic-they tell stories about the past and can be valuable. And people always like to get personal mail these days.

The United States Postal Service first allowed postcards to be mailed in 1872 for 1 cent. The postage stamp can date vintage postcards-it went up 24 times from 1872 to 2013. Postcards mailed before August 1958 cost up to 2 cents. In January 2013, the rate was 33 cents and today the cost is 35 cents. Until 1907 only the address could be put on the back of the card.

The Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History has free postcards and vintage postage stamps for anyone who visits the Museum (regular admission) from May 10 to 13. Please stop by with your address book (no, not your email list!). For more information email to postcard. If you cannot get to the Museum, send a few cards on your own.

The Museum is open Thursday to Sunday, noon to 5:00. It is located at 241 Wellesley St, Weston, MA 02493.