Why Not Continentals

Beginning in the early 1900's postcards were 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 or so. But about 1930, European postcard producers went to a larger size 4 x 6 inches or so. Since they were the first to produce this size, they are called continentals.

United States makers of postcards took many years before they produced 4 x 6 postcards. In fact it was about 1970 that continental size cards were widely produced. This is probably due to something connected with the post office rules. Just saying.

Why not collect continentals is an excellent question. Here are some answers to that question:

Images of European scenes after 1940, say, are only available as continentals, since that was the only size available.

Because United States collectors usually shun 4 x 6 inch postcards, these cards are inexpensive.

Many images are clearly portrayed in the larger format.

Some images exist only after 1970 so 4 x 6 inches is the only size available.

The message space is larger which permits a greatly detailed message.

Some of the best images in my collection are continentals.