New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-03
FAD IN COLLECTING.
THE POST CARD CRAZE INCREASING
EUROPEAN DESIGNS THE
MOST POPULAR.
MOST POPULAR.

The young woman who cannot get beyond the
seas this summer is seeking proxy trip by
begging her friends who going abroad to add
to her post card collection" while away by send
ing her one from every city visited.
The illustrated post card has been popular in
Europe for several years. and within a year or
two has begun TO importance in the United
States. AS long ago 1893 there issued set
OF Worlds Fair cards. which the principal
buildings depicted but letter postage was
required all decorated post cards their use was
not extensive. Two years ago. however. the post
age private mailing cards reduced to one
cent when used merely a souvenir-that is with
writing except the address Since that time the
trade in them has increased. and all the large
cities have publishers who issue them in large
quantities, decorated with pictures of public build
ings scenes in public parks and occasionally pa
triotic devices
The cards are of little practical value, as the
space left unadorned usually is too small to
vey message exceeding half dozen words. but
travellers like to send them to their friends at
home from every city they visit.
Among the sets recently published in New-York
homes and birthplaces Of statesmen. Cakewalk
cards, Central Park scenes and waterfront views
Many Of these we'll finished illustrations in
photogravure and half tone, while others are ex-
celent platino prints and colored autographs. One
of the public buildings set has fine half tone
of Grace Church at left and a small decorative
design in the upper right hand corner consisting
of a woman's figure, seated and holding a scroll
that bears the words: Greetings from Picturesque
America" An eagle perches at side slightly
higher and a National flag in colors floats grace
fully beside them.
In Paris business houses having their
cards printed. with chic illustrations. and the
American in Paris is amusing himself by sending
striking specimens TO his fair friends at home.
1t is said by dealers in postage stamps that col
lection cards mas quite taken the place BIT
the present of the stamp fad In Europe there are
several societies formed to facilitate the exchange
of post cards one in Bohemia mas agents in all
parts of the world. has fully thirteen hundred
members. The Association PhiateIique Rationale
Vienna there is international Associa ton
Collectors Of Illustrated Post Cards that publishes
a monthly journal in German, French and English.
II held a congress in Vienna in 1898. when large
exhibit of cards made At IN exhibition held
in March Berlin twenty-five thousand SpeCi-
mems shown. A in Nordhausen is said
to have gathered twenty-five thousand. and has de-
voted a large room to their display and preser-
walton.
There are no collections large in the United
States. of the most extensive. not quite two
thousand. belongs to a Brooklyn woman whose
husband held official position in Europe.
and has reached its highest development there.
One represents the burning of the City Hall and
Bank of Hamburg. 1t looks like ordinary piCt-
of the street and buildings until held against
the light. when the scene becomes a vivid presen-
tatiOn of fire and smoke. Some cards have land
scapes made of interviewer silks One may collect
post cards having them pictures of all the
ereigus and statesmen of Europe, and copies of
pictures in the great galleries. They much
more ingenious and interesting. as a whole, than
the American cards.