Several factors came together to bring about a Golden Age of postcards (Google books), including the introduction of inexpensive cameras and film development from Eastman Kodak. From around 1906 to 1915, the publishing of printed postcards doubled every six months. Along with pictures of real people and places, tall tale postcards were also made in increasing quantities. William H. "Dad" Martin was the first to make and sell outlandish postcards (previously), making collages of real images and photographing the result, dodging and burning the new image to make the composite images blend into something vaguely believable. Alfred Stanley Johnson, Jr. followed Martin's success, but they weren't the only ones to make tall tale postcards.
posted by filthy light thief on Mar 16, 2012 - 12 comments

Penny Postcards From All 50 States.
posted by marxchivist on Oct 18, 2011 - 23 comments

Pachimon (knock-off monsters) at landmarks; postcards.
posted by klangklangston on Jun 16, 2010 - 8 comments

At the American Farm School historical records they have a large collection of postcards. In amongst them are these small sketches of local traders.
posted by tellurian on Feb 13, 2010 - 16 comments

Postcards from the attic . From our very own cedar comes this amazing collection of several hundred postcards sent between 1900 and 1910 by his family. These are quirky unsettling, and disturbingly cute. Enjoy.
posted by Grod on Oct 28, 2004 - 9 comments

Do you know a elementary teacher? Rob from Cockeyed.com wants to create an interstate postcard exchange! If you ask me (no-one has) this is far too good an exercise to go to waste, so if you know a 3rd - 5th Grade teacher, point them in the direction of this!
posted by sycophant on Dec 11, 2002 - 6 comments