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Gabrian SILK POSTCARDS
EMBROIDERED SILK POSTCARDS
An Illustrated History of the Embroidered Silk Postcard is the standard reference book on embroidered silk postcards. It contains references to over 2600 different cards with over 270 illustrations.
The Embroidered Silk Postcard File (© Ian Collins 2008) on this site adds to the information in the book and lists a further xxxx cards discovered since the book was published. It is organised using the same format and conventions as the appendences in the book, so collectors can easily cross-reference with the website. There is also an extra section on Embroidered Silk Greetings Cards. Some cards are linked to images, but you may have to scroll down the page to see them.
The Embroidered Silk Postcard Image File (© Ian Collins 2008) shows some illustrations of rare and distinctive cards, which add to the 271 illustrations in the book. The intention is to develop the image reference section each time the site is updated.
Embroidered Silk Postcards first appeared at the Paris Exhibition of 1900 where they were a speciality novelty item, so the earliest cards are now genuine antiques. They were probably in continuous production until about 1950. The last dated card seen was sent on 26th December 1953, though there have been attempts to resurrect them since.
It is estimated that about ten million embroidered silk postcards were produced overall and it is likely that as many as ten thousand different designs were created, but nobody knows as many companies were involved and no records were kept.
The years of the Great War and just after, 1914 to 1920, were the golden period of the embroidered silk postcard and most of the production and designs come from this time. Before that they were just an expensive novelty item and after 1920 their popularity waned, with some resurgence in the Second World War.
New Book Now Available: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE EMBROIDERED SILK POSTCARD |
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A typical patriotic card from WWI. This card is worth about £10 and there are hundreds of similar designs to collect that are readily available. See the listings in my book and on this site.
There are many collectors of embroidered silk postcards and rare, complex designs can command high prices. |
