What To Do With Old Postal Cards?

I have a stack of postal cards, between 1800s and early 1900s that I have been going through...


I have seen the "cut squares" (is that right?), of the corners of the old postal cards and envelopes but I'm thinking since my grandfathers left these together maybe there was a reason for it, because it IS some interesting things in the correspondence and postmarks and whatnot beyond that square. Is it right to leave them whole?

Also, of the stack, these 2 stood out as being different than the others, does anyone know much about them?

This one was interesting because although I have similar cards, this is only one with rounded corners. I don't know if it came like that or if the bank that mailed it did it...





This one I don't have any quite as fancy that are red or with this picture...






Thanks again everyone! I was struggling by myself on this journey, you all make it a lot more enjoyable!

What a great collection to have handed down to you. Please please please do NOT cut any of them up!
They are going to be worth much more intact anyway but you loose all of the other historical information from sender and recipient that way too.

The Scott specialized book will help you determine which PC's these are- I'm just learning them, and the book is out in the office but someone on here will tell you at a glance for those two I am sure. Most of the postal cards are not particularly valuable but the advertising or well known people (if you have any) might bump them a good bit. Just a few thoughts... Andy

They could also be a goldmine for postmarks. What a great lot!!

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I like the pre-printed commercial postal cards because of the stunning variety of ways that commerce was conducted by postal card.

Reducing any piece of postal stationery to a cut square has gone way out of style, but you can be forgiven if you only do it to new issues ... these babies should be kept just as they are.

As to what to do with them, see if there is a thread running thru them ... for example, I've got a very large pile of "Your barge arrived safely" cards which, taken together, might tell an interesting story about cargo rates, transit times, and what got sent where.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

great collection of postal cards. I echo everyone else's sentiments. Keep them intact. Great pile of postal history you have there.
Are they all from Virginia?
The ones you've shown are the earliest designs, and both have variations. I'd suggest getting yourself a Scott's specialized catalogue and start going through them.
Lucky you!

Great collection you have beenn given. I would preserve them as they are.