The World's First Postcard

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The World's First Postcard

The idea of a postal card which could be used at half the letter rate was that of Heinrich von Stephan in 1865. Later that year, Dr Emanuel Hermann amplified the idea and the Austrian postal authorities issued the first cards on 1 October 1869. The card has a printed yellow 2 Kreuzer Head of the Emperor stamp on one side and the other is labelled as the space for written communication. Date: 1 October 1869

Media ID 32236618

© Holts Battlefield Collection / Mary Evans

1865 1869 Austrian Authorities Communication Emanuel Half Heinrich Hermann Idea Issued Labelled Letter Postal Publisher Rate Space Stamp Stephan Worlds Written

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