Vintage postcards
Over a million antique postcards to collect — by region, theme and era.
Welcome to one of the largest selections of vintage postcards (antique CPA) online. Towns and villages, old trades, marine scenes, illustrators, militaria: a visual memory of France and the world, sorted so you can find the piece missing from your collection.
Every card is a unique physical item, photographed front and back, described and dated. Browse by region, by theme, or discover the latest finds below.
Browse by region and country
The great destinations of the antique postcard.
Browse by theme
Trades, transport, illustrators, fantasy and many more.
Latest additions
The most recent arrivals in our catalogue.
Understanding and collecting vintage postcards
The antique postcard — or CPA — refers to cards published from the late 19th century to the 1960s. Its golden age, 1900 to 1920, produced millions of views of towns, street scenes and vanished trades: a unique record of everyday life.
A card's value depends on its subject (a small lively village is often worth more than a big city), condition, the rarity of the publisher, the stamp and the postmark. Animated cards and sought-after themes trade above average.
At CPAPHIL, every card is hand-picked, scanned and described individually: you buy the exact item you see.
Frequently asked questions
What is a vintage (antique) postcard?▾
A vintage postcard is one published between the late 19th century and the 1960s. Collectors distinguish the CPA (pre-1920, often black-and-white or hand-coloured), the CPSM (semi-modern, 1920-1960) and the CPM (modern).
What is a vintage postcard worth?▾
From a few euros to several hundred, depending on subject, condition, rarity and postmark. Animated views of small villages, trades and sought-after themes are the most valuable. Every card in our catalogue is priced individually.
Which vintage postcards are most sought after?▾
Animated cards (lively streets, markets, trades), small towns, signed illustrators, transport (trains, ships) and certain themes (lighthouses, windmills, militaria) are among the most in demand.
How do I buy or sell vintage postcards?▾
Buying is done online: secure payment and protected shipping. To offer your collection for sale, write to us at [email protected].