Estimator (Beta)

Select what you know and receive a production bound (no earlier / no later than) plus the reasoning.

Bounds • Conservative
Tip: Back layout + country is the strongest starting point.

Dating result

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    Fixed disclaimer: Results are approximate and based on official postal milestones and production constraints. Usage evidence (stamps/postmarks) does not override production indicators. Reprints may replicate earlier layouts or terminology.

    Accepted Evidence Hierarchy

    How this page reasons

    Purpose: estimate a postcard's production period (its age), not its mailing date.

    Primary production evidence (highest weight)

    • Back layout
      • Undivided back → upper bound: printed no later than the country's official divided-back acceptance year.
      • Divided back → lower bound: printed no earlier than the country's official divided-back acceptance year.
    • Postal wording (country-specific) provides a production constraint based on documented official introduction (used as a lower bound).

    Secondary production evidence (supporting)

    • Printing technology (Collotype, Lichtdruck, Bromsilber, Real Photo) supports an estimate but does not override primary evidence.
    • Publisher / association marks: only documented associations or syndicates are considered. Individual publisher names and decorative marks are not evaluated.

    Usage evidence (informative only)

    • Stamps and postmarks indicate usage and do not override production indicators.
    Reprint note: this method assumes an original period print. Later reproductions may replicate earlier layouts, terminology, or printing techniques.

    01 • Primary

    Back layout

    Back layout is fixed at the moment of printing and provides the strongest production constraint.

    Undivided back means there is no printed dividing line or rule separating the address from the message — the entire back side was reserved for the address. The message had to be written on the front of the card (on the picture side).

    Divided back indicates a printed vertical line or rule that divides the back into two sections: one for the address and one for a message.

    Production rule: If an undivided back is present, the card was printed no later than the country's official divided-back acceptance year. If a divided back is present, the card was printed no earlier than the country's official divided-back acceptance year.

    02 • Primary

    Postal wording

    Certain phrases or terms (e.g., "Carte Postale," "Postkarte," "Post Card") were introduced on official dates.

    When a card displays country-specific postal wording introduced at a known date, that date serves as a lower bound — the card was printed no earlier than that date.

    Supporting confirmation: Postal wording confirms the country and production constraint. However, usage evidence (stamps/postmarks) does not override this.

    03 • Supporting

    Printing technology

    Printing processes like Collotype, Lichtdruck, Bromsilber, or Real Photo (RPPC) offer supporting evidence.

    Collotype (photographic process) was widely used from the 1870s to the early 1900s. Lichtdruck (German, a form of Collotype) was common in Central Europe. Bromsilber (a silver-based photographic print) typically indicates early 1900s production. Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) became popular from about 1900 onward.

    Supporting confirmation: Printing technology supports a period estimate but does not override primary evidence from back layout or postal wording.

    04 • Supporting

    Publisher / association marks

    Documented publisher associations or syndicates may provide supporting evidence.

    Some recognized German/Austrian association marks, French publishing syndicate marks, or international union marks can confirm a production period. Individual publisher names or decorative marks that are not part of an identified association are not evaluated here.

    Supporting confirmation: Association marks support a production date but do not override primary evidence.

    05 • Informative only

    Usage evidence: stamps and postmarks

    Stamps and postmarks indicate when a card was mailed, not when it was printed.

    A stamp issue year or postmark year provides a terminus ante quem for usage, meaning the card could not have been mailed before that date. However, this does not determine the production date — a card may have been printed years before it was mailed.

    Usage evidence only: Stamp and postmark years are informative for usage context but do not override production constraints.

    Important notes

    Reprints and reproductions

    This method assumes an original period print.

    Later reproductions (reprints) may replicate earlier back layouts, postal wording, or printing techniques. If a card displays evidence inconsistent with the primary production constraints (e.g., divided back but usage evidence suggesting much earlier mailing), it may indicate delayed usage, stock reuse, country misidentification, or a later reproduction.

    Production constraint: Primary evidence (back layout and postal wording) determines the production bound. Usage evidence is informative only and does not override production indicators.