Society’s most popular and informative images

By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Postcard collecting not only has a story, it tells a story.

From architecture and landscapes to clothing and fashion, post cards have documented history across the globe since 1861, making them popular collector’s items over the years. In fact, deltiology—the study and collection of postcards—is the third largest hobby worldwide after stamp and money collecting.

For many, a collection consists simply of a few picturesque correspondences attached to the refrigerator door or saved in a memory box. But for long-time deltiologists and Seabrook residents Stephania and Michael Blyskal, postcards are a passion that has yielded an impressive and awardwinning assortment.

How it all began
When she stumbled upon donated books filled with postcards while working as a librarian in the 1960s, Stephania Blyskal’s curiosity was peaked, and it hasn’t stopped climbing.

Though some of her original cards—French and Italian landscapes by watercolor artist Manuel Wielandt—remain some of her favorites, she has expanded her collection to include such specific subjects as children and music, the New York World’s Fair, airplane menus, and the more obscure.

Her collection prompted her husband’s. From the Panama Canal, Boy Scouting, architecture, and World War II memorabilia, his postcards augment his interests and showcase history.

In fact, like historical societies, libraries, genealogical societies, and most collectors, the Blyskals both study history through postcards. And together, they have filled 63 albums packed with history and categorized by a vast variety of subjects.

Competitive Edge
Such an extensive collection is not the only measure of a serious collector. The Blyskals also belong to the Garden State Postcard Club, attend shows, and have contended in numerous competitions over the years.