Our previous post was devoted to classic Chinese propaganda postcards and this seems to be a proper opportunity to speak of postcard sizes.
Most old postcards from the late 19th and the first third of the 20th century come in the standard size which is about 8.5 or 9 by 14 centimeters (3.5-3.5'' x 5.5''), unless the postcard is of an unfolding, oversized or small variety which was relatively rare at the time. Many postcard dealers even don't provide a note of this size, assuming that to be self-understandable while referring to pre-1920s cards.
However, one may note that those Chinese classics are somewhat larger - about 10 by 15 centimeters (4'' x 6''). This format is pretty much standard for most modern glossy cards but it came into being quite long ago, emerging as of late 1920s in European countries such as Germany. Among postcard collectors and dealers, it is known as the continental size. Thus when you next encounter the term in postcard descriptions you'll know right away what dealer talks about, as well as have some indication of the card's age.
One more word about descriptions: it is customary among dealers not to state the size of the card in question unless it is continental, oversized etc. A description that is not accompanied by postcard dimensions is an indication that the card is of standard old size.
However, one may note that those Chinese classics are somewhat larger - about 10 by 15 centimeters (4'' x 6''). This format is pretty much standard for most modern glossy cards but it came into being quite long ago, emerging as of late 1920s in European countries such as Germany. Among postcard collectors and dealers, it is known as the continental size. Thus when you next encounter the term in postcard descriptions you'll know right away what dealer talks about, as well as have some indication of the card's age.
One more word about descriptions: it is customary among dealers not to state the size of the card in question unless it is continental, oversized etc. A description that is not accompanied by postcard dimensions is an indication that the card is of standard old size.
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The Chinese of course not only produced propaganda postcards but also posters. The Dutch International Institute of Social History presents a nice collection of vintage Chinese posters (make sure to browse their Soviet and Cuban collections as well), accompanied by a fascinating article on Chinese poster hunting authored by the collector himself, Stefan R. Landsberger, and titled "Confessions of a poster collector".
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