Postcards: levels of preservation cards
To date, in the internationally accepted classification, there are six main degrees of preservation of filocartial products - from the worst to the ideal. They are usually denoted by special combinations of letters or individual letters. Thus, open letters marked with the letters FR may be damaged by folds, paint or inscriptions left on the front side. This type of postcards can also be attributed to the copies that have been restored. This level of preservation of postcards is the least low, so such antiques can be of interest only to collectors who wish to purchase open letters for their collection that are rarely found in the antiquarian market or have no analogues.
Antique postcards, marked with the letter G, have a higher level of preservation, however, they may differ noticeably obtuse or rounded corners with folds, as well as small bends and landscape marks. They may have a stamp on the back, contain a letter or a stamp.
Open letters of good collectible preservation are denoted by the letters VG. In this case, it is allowed to have certain marks or bends on the front side, as well as rounded or clipped corners that do not affect the overall appearance of the postcard. Also, these cards can have a letter or stamp from the address side.
Postcards with an EX mark are characterized by the absence of bends, folds or dents, rounded corners. The front side in this case is not allowed to have inscriptions or marks, and the address side may contain a written letter or stamp.
Postcards with the designation NM are copies that have come down to our time in perfect condition or practically new cards, characterized by minor dents or barely noticeable signs of aging, formed during long-term storage in the album.
Absolutely new filocarpic material marked with the letter M, has no bends, dents and folds or marks. On postcards of this level there are no album marks, letters and postmarks. Postcards of such preservation, created in past centuries, are a great rarity. Even if they go on sale, their value can be a record high.
Antique postcards, marked with the letter G, have a higher level of preservation, however, they may differ noticeably obtuse or rounded corners with folds, as well as small bends and landscape marks. They may have a stamp on the back, contain a letter or a stamp.
Open letters of good collectible preservation are denoted by the letters VG. In this case, it is allowed to have certain marks or bends on the front side, as well as rounded or clipped corners that do not affect the overall appearance of the postcard. Also, these cards can have a letter or stamp from the address side.
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Postcards with an EX mark are characterized by the absence of bends, folds or dents, rounded corners. The front side in this case is not allowed to have inscriptions or marks, and the address side may contain a written letter or stamp.
Postcards with the designation NM are copies that have come down to our time in perfect condition or practically new cards, characterized by minor dents or barely noticeable signs of aging, formed during long-term storage in the album.
Absolutely new filocarpic material marked with the letter M, has no bends, dents and folds or marks. On postcards of this level there are no album marks, letters and postmarks. Postcards of such preservation, created in past centuries, are a great rarity. Even if they go on sale, their value can be a record high.
