Postcard

A postcard is defined as a communication medium, typically made of thin cardboard, with one side bearing visual content and capable of being mailed either without an envelope or within one. Over time, it has transcended its role as a means of communication and acquired the status of a historical and cultural document, regarded as a source of information that preserves collective memory. Through visuals that carry the political, cultural, artistic, and economic traces of their era, postcards provide significant data for understanding the social dynamics of the past.

History

The historical origins of postcards extend to the mid-19th century. The first official postcards were printed in Austria in 1869 following a proposal by Emmanuel Herrmann and quickly gained popularity across Europe. In the Ottoman Empire, illustrated postcard publishing began in the 1890s, with postcards published under the leadership of Max Fruchtermann offering important visual records of everyday life, architecture, and social structure in Ottoman society.

Geographical Spread and Uses

Postcards were used not only for communication but also for tourist and cultural purposes. Postcard production, which began in Europe, rapidly spread to Ottoman territories, with editions printed in cities such as Istanbul, Edirne, Thessaloniki, Izmir, Cairo and Damascus. Postcards adorned with images of cityscapes, historical structures, and depictions of contemporary lifestyles became significant documents reflecting local identity and cultural heritage.

Cultural and Social Context

Postcards have gone beyond being merely visual communication tools to become carriers of social and cultural identity. Examined by collectors and researchers, postcards are recognized as valuable documents in the fields of art and social history. In particular, postcards used for propaganda during wartime periods occupy a prominent place among visual materials reflecting the political discourse of their time. Additionally, greeting cards used for personal correspondence have become important cultural elements that reflect the communicative rituals of their era.

Relationship with Craft Techniques and Production Methods

Postcards were produced using various methods in parallel with the development of graphic design and printing technologies. Initially printed in black and white, they soon became enriched through multi-color printing techniques. Ottoman postcards produced in European printing houses were printed using traditional methods such as lithography and stone printing. With the advancement of photographic art, photograph-based postcard designs became widespread.

Postcards, due to their historical, cultural, and artistic value, are regarded as significant documents that have transitioned from communication tools to archival materials. Classified among ephemera, postcards are considered enduring sources of information worthy of study in the social sciences.