Postcards emerged in the second half of the 19th century as an important innovation to facilitate communication. These cards, used to convey short messages in a more practical and inexpensive way compared to letters, quickly became widespread in both official correspondence and personal communication. The first official postcard application began in 1869 in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and soon spread to European countries and then to different parts of the world. This innovation made postal services more accessible and influenced the culture of social communication.
Over time, postcards evolved from being simple tools carrying written messages into visual souvenirs featuring cityscapes, historical buildings, cultural symbols, and works of art. Especially with the introduction of illustrated postcards from the late 19th century onwards, postcards became an indispensable part of tourism and souvenir culture. Today, postcards, which carry a nostalgic value, continue to exist as cultural mementos for collectors and travelers.
Which country used the first postcard?
The first official postcard began to be used in 1869 by the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The post office in Vienna introduced these cards, called “Correspondenz-Karte,” as a shorter and more practical means of communication compared to letters. This practice quickly attracted great interest due to its low cost and easy accessibility and was regarded as an important innovation in the postal system.
The application initiated by Austria-Hungary soon spread to other countries as well. In the 1870s, European countries such as Germany, Switzerland, and France began to use similar postcard systems, and in 1873 the United States issued its first official postcard. Thus, the postcard practice, pioneered by Austria-Hungary, quickly became an important part of international communication culture.
When and in which country was the postcard first used?
The postcard was first used in 1869 in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. These cards, introduced to the public by the post office in Vienna under the name “Correspondenz-Karte,” were designed as a shorter, more practical, and inexpensive means of communication compared to letters. This innovation quickly attracted great interest and then rapidly spread to other European countries.
In which country was the first official “postcard” application made?
The first official application related to the “postcard” was carried out in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This practice, which began on October 1, 1869, was introduced through the initiative of the post office in Vienna. The first postcards, called “Correspondenz-Karte,” were sold with a printed stamp on them and were only permitted to carry short messages. Thanks to their low cost, these cards were quickly adopted both among the public and in official correspondence.
The system initiated by Austria-Hungary soon became an example for other countries and created a major change in postal services. In the 1870s, Germany, Switzerland, England, and France launched their own postcard applications, and in 1873 the United States issued its first official postcard. Thus, the innovation started by Austria-Hungary turned into a universal practice that facilitated communication worldwide.
When and where did the first illustrated postcard appear?
The first illustrated postcard appeared in 1870 in Germany. At first, postcards were designed only for writing and did not contain images. However, the first illustrated postcard printed in Germany in 1870 featured a military-themed illustration and quickly attracted great interest among the public. This development paved the way for postcards to be used not only as a means of communication but also as souvenirs and aesthetic objects.
With the emergence of illustrated postcards, cityscapes, historical buildings, famous figures, works of art, and depictions of nature began to appear on them. Especially in tourist areas, these cards were used both for communication and as souvenirs, becoming an important part of popular culture. From the late 19th century onwards, illustrated postcards became widespread in many European countries and soon became an inseparable element of tourism and collecting all over the world.
When did the postcard/postcard application start in Turkey?
The postcard practice in Turkey began in the last quarter of the 19th century during the Ottoman Empire. In 1876, the first official postcards were printed and put into use by the Ottoman postal administration. These cards became widespread in Ottoman lands shortly after the applications in Austria-Hungary and Germany. In the early period, the cards had a simple design and were used only for correspondence purposes.
Over time, illustrated postcards also began to spread in the Ottoman Empire, and visuals such as the historical buildings of Istanbul, the Bosphorus views, palaces, and mosques appeared on the cards. In this way, postcards became not only a means of communication but also souvenirs and touristic objects. From the early 20th century onwards, postcards continued to be used in the transition from the Ottoman to the Republican period and have survived to the present day as a cultural element carrying collectible value.