Post Card Dimensions

Sending post cards is one of the simplest but most effective ways of greeting someone. You can easily send them to your family, relatives and friends wherever they may be. Even with the massive advancement in technology, this way of greeting remains one of the most touching. Because they are available in various sizes, it can help a lot to know the different post card dimensions.

The Different Dimensions of a Post Card

Post cards have different sizes. According to the United States Postal Service, a post card is rectangular and should be no more than 12.7 centimeters by 8.9 centimeters. The standard-size post cards were first introduced in Great Britain sometime in November 1899, which measured 140 millimeters by 89 millimeters. Before that, there were also court cards, which circulated in Britain from 1894 to 1899. These cards measured 115 millimeters by 89 millimeters.

Aside from these major kinds of post cards, intermediate size cards were also invented, which basically fall somewhere in between the general specifications of standard-size cards and court cards. They have a measurement of 130 millimeters by 80 millimeters. Furthermore, there are also smaller versions called midget post cards, which measure only 90 millimeters by 70 millimeters.

Additional Facts and Other Interesting Details

Going back to the history of the post card, John P. Charlton patented it first in 1861. However, Turkey became the very first country ever to use this kind of card in 1876. In 1873, the United States Post Office decided to issue postal cards that were pre-stamped. Upon their release, these cards became a very easy way of sending notes.

There are different types of post cards. One of them is called appliqué, which comes with embellishments like metal or cloth. In the 1920s, art deco-style of cards was introduced, with straight lines and symmetrical designs. Cards with flowery symbols and flowing lines are referred to as art nouveau. Meanwhile, cards with heavily raised surfaces are called bas-relief.

Big Letter cards refer to those that feature very big letters on them without pictures inside the letters. Aside from these, other notable forms of post cards include the write-away, undivided back as well as topographical cards. In addition, there are also the real photographic, novelty cards and kaleidoscopes. For stamp collectors, postal cards and post cards are two different entities. The first type has pre-printed postage, while the second one still requires a stamp.