Post card collectors, or more formally, deltiologists, generally collect post cards for the view, subject depicted, topic, artist, publisher, photographer or any of hundreds of reasons relating to the front view of the post card.

The postal historian avidly seeks post cards for the stamp use, postmarks and postal markings, destinations and all the things related to the mailing or sending of the post card. Most of this information is generally found on the back of the card and is unconcerned with the view or front of the card!

The philatelist collects the card for the stamp used on a post card and the way the stamp is canceled. This is closely related in some ways for to the reasons a postal historian would collect post cards and maybe even for the same reason.

It does get a little muddy when trying to separate the differences between the postal historian and the philatelist. My definitions are from my own observations, and will likely cause disagreement and so are greatly simplified for this purpose. Postal history and philately have crossed over blurred lines since stamp collecting began. Generally a philatelist is concerned how a stamp is used, condition of the stamp and the way it is canceled. A cancel is the method of obliterating the stamp to prevent reuse.

A postal historian collects for the way a stamp is used and postmarked. A postmark is the way to determine the place and date the post card was sent from, although postmarks are often used as cancellations.

So it could be said that a deltiologist, or post card collector, collects because of the front of the card and information relating to the image on the card, and in many cases prefers a pristine mint card. The postal historian, or cover collector, collects post cards for reasons on the back of the card and it would seem, prefers a postally used post card. The philatelist, or stamp collector, collects the post card for the stamp on a used card.

A postal historian will sometimes appreciate collateral material for exhibiting in their albums, displays or at competitive exhibitions. Then views of old post offices, buildings, famous person or that holy grail of post cards, a real photo town view, especially of a "ghost" town, will be used as collateral along with a postmark from that town. This forms a pleasing combination for many postal historians. What is even better is when the town view is postmarked in the same town as in the view. This is not as easy to find as you may think!

The deltiologist will also use a postmark as a crossover, especially when their collecting interest is Worlds Fair and Expositions. The postmark from these special post offices can add great value to a post card and prove that it was purchased at the sight of the fair or exposition. These are also sought after items for the postal historian.

It can even be further stated that the philatelist or stamp collector would also participate in the crossover collecting as many of these expositions also had stamps issued for them.

If you collect post cards as a deltiologist, a postal historian or philatelist, the field is wide open. Collect what you like and how you like to collect! You can find them everywhere you look, old attics, swap meets and flea markets, antique shops and stamp shops, gas stations, hotels and curio stands - post cards can to be found as many places as there are reasons to collect them.