AY Honors/Postcards - Advanced/Answer Key
1. Have the basic Postcard Honor.
For tips and instruction see Postcards.
2. How is the history of your city or state/province/region told in postcards? Collect postcards (or pictures of postcards) that illustrate events or distinctive scenery found in your area.
3. Explain what you have done to preserve your postcards. (Postcards from the basic honor)
4. What is the latest development in postcards?
5. What are the present regulations for sending custom made postcards through your local post office and getting the postcard rate?
United States
In order for a piece of mail to qualify as a postcard it must meet several requirements set by the United States Postal Service. Using a postcard rate: postcards must be at least 3.5 inches (8.89 cm) high, 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide and 0.007 inches (.018 cm) thick; the postcard size can be no larger than 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) high, 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide and 0.016 inches (.041 cm) thick; the postcard must be rectangular in shape; postcards cannot contain any stickers or attachments which make them larger or thicker than the above postcard size.
6. Make a collection of at least 150 postcards. (No two postcards alike.) Your collection should include the following:
a. At least 2 postcards depicting significant historical or cultural heritage in your area/region
See Requirement #2.
b. Postcards from at least different 20 states/providences/countries.
You should have at least 10 already from earning the basic honor. Ask people you know who are traveling to send you postcards, or look online for penpals you might exchange postcards with. Postcards make nice inexpensive souvenirs that can be found most anywhere one travels. They don't even have to be mailed, just brought home. Though that takes some of the fun out of getting a postcard in the mail, the postcards will be in better shape if not mailed.
c. At least 25 cards on the same theme (mountains, beaches, waterfalls, travel, religious, seasons, sports, animals, hobbies, art, et. al.)
Many collectors like to theme their collections, and postcards are no different. It adds a little challenge to the collection. The narrower or more obscure the theme the harder it will be to follow though. Don't forget your theme when asking for postcards from different places to meet point b.
