Pocztówka

Pocztówka, in English postcard, is a small card designed for mailing with a brief message and usually an illustration or photograph. It is typically inexpensive to send and does not require an envelope. The standard format has an image or photograph on the front and space on the back for the recipient’s address and a short written message; many cards also have a dividing line or panel to separate the address from the message.

The modern postcard originated in Europe in the 1860s and 1870s. Austria-Hungary issued the first official postcard in 1869, and the United States followed in the early 1870s. Postcards gained widespread popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period often called the golden age of postcards, due to their affordability, ease of production, and international postal agreements. Since then, postcard production has evolved with changes in printing technology, and formats have included photograph-based, illustrated, and later digital-influenced designs.

Common uses of pocztówki include travel souvenirs, greetings, and quick news sharing. They are also collected as philatelic and artistic items; the hobby is known as deltiology, with dedicated societies, exhibitions, and markets worldwide. In the digital age, physical postcards remain popular among travelers and enthusiasts, while electronic postcards and online messaging offer alternative ways to send quick notes. The term pocztówka remains the standard designation in Polish for this familiar artifact of everyday communication and cultural heritage.