Postcard Mania

Aviation postcards

Written by admin on 16 November, 2009 – 7:06 am -

Although prior to the Wright Brothers there were forms of aviation such as the hot air balloon, it was Wilbur and Orville's innovation which really allowed aviation postcards to take off (pun shamelessly intended).  Even then, there were few true aviation postcards until Louis Bleriot made his first cross channel flight in 1909.  This event seemed to grab public attention and a new postcard genre was officially born.

Prior to 1909 aviation postcards had been reliant upon local photographers being in the right place and the right time and then being able to find a local printer wiling to publish their work.  Consequently, aviation postcards prior to 1909 are in short supply and generally don't display photographers or publishers names.

In Britain the Daily Mail published postcards featuring the early pilots, men such as Hamel, Ewan and Salmet. These were used as publicity material - the Mail had sponsored round Britain air tours - and as such they were sold at one aerodrome, then flown to the next one before being posted. Any such cards feature a rubber stamped inscription in either black or violet over the message space. They are considered rare and valuable.

As with most postcard genres, the Tuck Company were heavily involved in the publication of aviation postcards.  Their 'In the Air' or 'Famous Aeroplanes' series are some of their more accessible.  Of course modern aviation postcards will feature shots of planes and the like and are used extensively as publicity material for airlines and aeroplane manufacturers.

Tags: aviation postcards
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