There is something about the use of linen for postcards that adds such a great dimension to their eye appeal. Perhaps, the subtle use of colors or the fact that the images are slightly raised off the paper. We are big fans of them.

An early image of Harvard’s Medical School in linen

The Campanile at the University of California, Berkeley in linen

A view of South Hall on Columbia University’s Morningside Campus in linen with vintage automobiles in front

The Smithsonian Museum generally dates “Linen” postcards the 1930s through 1945 and technically aren’t even made from linen. “Linen” describes a higher than usual content of cotton fiber in the paper utilized that gives the cards their distinct texture. Linen postcards make great gifts for alumni or graduates and can be combined into frames to create collages, which in our context creates the tongue twisting “collegiate collages!”

An aerial view of the University of Chicago in linen

We have a nice selection of collegiate collectibles on our website including vintage linen postcards.