Transcription conventions
Preserve line breaks, capitalization, punctuation and apparent spelling. Use square brackets to show editorial additions such as [illegible] or [?]. Keep uncertain words visible as uncertainty rather than quietly selecting a likely reading.
For the address, consider recording only the amount needed for research. Historical cards may contain personal details about people who are still living or recently deceased. Store exported files carefully and avoid publishing addresses or sensitive correspondence without a clear reason and appropriate permission.
On divided-back cards, note how the image, message and address fields are arranged. Publisher, printer and series statements may appear on the front or reverse; record their exact location.
Collecting context: postcard booklets at auction
The October 30, 2026 Dovetail decorative-arts sale included antique postcard booklets among a broad group of decorative-arts lots. A booklet is a collection unit with its own sequence and publisher context, while each card can carry its own postmark and message evidence. Record both the parent booklet and individual card references when that relationship matters. This sale listing is a collecting example, not a price guide.
Postcard research questions
Should I correct misspellings in the message?
No. Keep a verbatim transcription and put a normalized reading, translation or explanation in the separate interpretation field.
Can this tool date the card?
No. It records observed postmark text and other evidence; it cannot authenticate a date, identify a post office or determine print date.
Where does the ledger live?
In this browser’s local storage only. Export JSON or CSV for your own backup; the website does not receive ledger entries.