Postcards were introduced by the USPS in 1873 and count be mailed for 1 cent. Up to 1885 this cost the same as sending a letter. The latter was changed to 2 cents that year while postcards remained 1 cent domestically.

Prior to Congress’ approval of postcards issued by Uncle Sam, early descendants to the postcard began circulating through USPS as early as 1861. The cards had to weigh less than one ounce. Before this, letters were mailed with pictures on the envelopes. 

Postcards were likely invented as they could weigh less, while including a larger image. 

Based on the postage rate, the above card was mailed before November of 1917, when the postcard rate was raised to 2 cents. The postage rate then went up to 3 cents January 1, 1952.

For letters, 3 cents was implemented for First Class mail November of 1917. A century later, in 2017, the rate hit 49 cents after 26 price changes. 1981 and 2023 were the only two years to see two increases in a single calendar year, while the gap between 1932 and 1958 was the longest stretch without any changes. The largest increase was 5 cents from January 2018 to January 2019, however, postage actually decreased from 49 cents to 47 cents in April of 2016. It then went back to 49 cents in January of 2017.

As of January 21, 2024, it costs 56 cents to mail a postcard, while First Class stamps cost 73 cents. 

The USPS started tracking numbers of postcards in 1930 when 298 million were mailed. By 1940 that rose to 633 million, 1.7 billion in 1974, and topping at more than the mid-2.8 billion range in 1990. Today they are sorted into stamped and pre-sorted categories. In 2023 the two combined saw a low 2.8 billion postcards. 

The “now” postcard is one of 12 A Mural Movement designs, featuring various local art. They are available for purchase at Clay County businesses.