Good local postcards?
An old-school Albany postcard.
Wesley emails:
I moved here recently for school and was wondering where I could find cheap Albany postcards for the people back home. Thanks in advance!
We'll adjust Wesley's question a bit to cover any sort of local postcard. Less expensive is better, but we're curious about finding good postcards for this area in general. (And let's hope even the good once aren't all that expensive.)
It's been a while since we've browsed a rack of Albany postcards, but we don't remember many as being kind of cool or interesting. Maybe things have changed. Or maybe this is an opportunity for someone to make some good cards.
So... got a suggestion for Wesley? Please share!
Earlier on AOA:
+ Albany Postcard Project
+ Postcards from the past: Albany
+ Postcards from the past: Troy
image: Boston Public Library collection (cc)
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Comments
Any postcard graced by Nipper is a cool postcard. But other than that I can't think of any Albany postcards that aren't the run-of-the-mill tourism type visuals.
... said chrisck on Mar 12, 2014 at 10:56 AM | link
Local postcards are available at the Hallmark in Empire State Plaza, the last time I checked.
I used postcards from Lake George as my save the dates for my Lake George wedding a few years ago. So that's one use for the humble postcard.
... said Kathleen Lisson on Mar 12, 2014 at 10:58 AM | link
Another idea: check the local museums that have decent gift shops (Albany Institute etc) because they may have postcards that feature interesting objects from their collections. But I don't know if they are cheap or not.
... said chrisck on Mar 12, 2014 at 11:06 AM | link
The NYS museum has some post cards in their gift shop. Pretty standard, but my friends from out of town seem to enjoy them.
Troy Cloth & Paper might have some on occasion, too.
... said Albany Jane on Mar 12, 2014 at 11:07 AM | link
The Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center Gift Shop has a large selection of local postcards that are very affordable. You can also find many other unique, local, and handcrafted items.
We are open 7 days a week and are located downtown at Quackenbush Square (Broadway and Clinton Avenue). Hours are listed on our website.
... said Albany Visitors Center on Mar 12, 2014 at 11:30 AM | link
Pfiel's Hardware in Troy carries a line of Troy postcards -- and new images are added yearly/seasonally.
... said jayme on Mar 12, 2014 at 11:44 AM | link
There's a store in Chatham Mass called Maps of Antiquity that has a box containing hundreds of old postcards from the Lake George region. Most were cards that were actually written on and sent and to read the messages is fascinating.
... said Parma Ham on Mar 12, 2014 at 11:50 AM | link
Troy Cloth & Paper definitely has some great Troy-related cards (not sure if they're in postcard form). Otherwise I think the Visitors Center is your best bet for standard commercial cards. Used to be a time when every newsstand had them. used to be a time when there were lots of newsstands.
... said Carl on Mar 12, 2014 at 1:00 PM | link
Stay away from the ones at the NYS Museum. THEY'LL MAKE YOU VOMIT! And no one you send them to will ever want to come here.
... said Laura on Mar 12, 2014 at 2:02 PM | link
@Laura -- the shop at the New York State Museum is regrettably operated by an outside contractor that is in the business of running museum shops, but does a lousy job of it. Many years ago the shop was run more or less in house, with a savvy local buyer, and the stock was fabulous, including NYS arts & crafts. Not any more. Now it's kind of generic and certainly not a destination for shopping for gifts or anything besides a souvenir.
... said chrisck on Mar 12, 2014 at 2:29 PM | link
https://www.etsy.com/listing/127214540/troy-at-night-postcard-pack?
Local postcards, all taken at night!
... said William on Mar 12, 2014 at 4:51 PM | link
If you want something a bit more memorable, I'd suggest Antique/second hand shops. It's usually not too hard to find some that were never used at all.
... said Lana on Mar 12, 2014 at 4:58 PM | link
Try the Albany Hilton gift shop for new post cards. If you're looking for vintage post cards Silver Fox Salvage on Broadway has a pretty good selection and they are often regional.
... said Jesse on Mar 12, 2014 at 6:15 PM | link
Great question! I send postcards around the world via Postcrossing (www.postcrossing.com), so I am always looking for local postcards myself.
In addition to the locations already mentioned, the Book House in Stuyvesant Plaza has a very good selection - well, the last time I checked, anyway.
If you're interested in Saratoga Springs postcards, Impressions, on Broadway, has a nice selection.
In the past, I've also ordered in bulk from Postcardstop.com. Based in Michigan, this small mail-order business carries an array of postcards from cities and states around the country, and the prices can't be beat (40 cents for a Nipper postcard!).
... said Ellen on Mar 13, 2014 at 10:15 AM | link
I was just at AIHA for the Jane Austen program and they have a charming selection.
... said Kathleen Lisson on Mar 13, 2014 at 7:53 PM | link
I really thought the "Troy at Night" postcards would be one of those that you see in every city with "Troy at Night" printed on a black background.
... said LB on Mar 16, 2014 at 2:49 AM | link