|
It is an accordian style postal piece containing a number of postcard views (usually 18) but can be as little as 6 and as many as 30. The views are printed on both sides of the pages and attached by a fold to each other and to the cover so there are usually half as many pages as there are views. The folded out views fold together to fit inside a slightly larger cover which has space for a stamp and address on one side and a tab for closing on the other. The views are roughly postcard size. The folders were made by the same companies that made postcards of the subject and contain views that can also generally be found on individual postcards. They have been made since the undivided back era began in 1907 and are made still today and can be classified generally the same as postcards such as vintage (1907-1915), white border (1915-1932), Linen (1932-1950) and Chrome 1950 to Present.
As with most other things there are exceptions to prove the rule. Some folders will be found with views on only one side. Some will be found with multiple views on individual pages and some will be found with panoramic views covering a number of foldout pages on one side of the foldouts. There are also items called "Miniature" Postcard Folders which are just like a regular folder but much smaller being only 3 1/4 X 4 1/2 inches.
You will also find multiple view packets of views with the views (usually miniature) contained within a cover with room for an address and postage. These are more properly called Packets or Folios. Other multiple views can be found held together by spiral binding and are called Albums.
If you are a postcard collector interested in both the view and the philatic aspects then folders are probably not for you. However, if you are a view collector then folders are generally a bargain contaning multiple views of card images for less than what you would generally pay in total for the same views in individual cards, if you could find them all as such. In addition, these views are generally in better condition than can be found on used postcards since they have been protected by the cover over their many years. In some cases 1 or 2 views in a folder cost less than the same views on a single card. However, care must be taken in buying folders based on just a scan of the cover because in some cases the same views are found in folders with different covers and in others the views are different in folders with the same covers. So if you are particularly interested in just a few views in a folder you might not find them if you buy a folder based on a scan of the cover.
I am quite often asked why I don't include scans of the folder covers in my listings. This is primarily to keep buyers from being disappointed after buying a folder based on just a scan of the cover from another seller offering a lower price and expecting to get the same views as are in the folder I am selling. Since I list each and every view in the folders I offer you know what you will be getting in buying from me and you won't be disappointed.
I invite you to satisfy yourself about what I say here by choosing a random folder and doing a search on each of the views it contains. To satisfy my own curiosity I just chose an Orlando Folder sitting on top of one of my stacks and did just that. I was able to find cards for 16 of the same views and 2 with very similar views from it's 18.. They were being offered from $1.99 to $8.99 each and totaled almost $100.
|
)
