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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 (© Gabrian Antiques 2004) 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 (© Gabrian Antiques 2004) 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. |
