Somerset hosts two-day festival of cards
Dealers of vintage postcards from throughout Britain will descend on Somerset later this month for a huge celebration of the hobby.
The Postcard Traders Association (PTA) is organising a two day ‘Festival of Cards’ at Junction 24, North Petherton near Bridgwater, on Thursday March 27 and Friday March 28.
Sixty-two of the country’s top dealers will attend – carrying a combined stock of several hundred thousand vintage postcards, with some moderns too.
And this year the event has extra significance as 2025 is the golden anniversary of the PTA, which represents postcard dealers and organises the biggest annual fairs in Britain.
The PTA is marking the event by reviving Britain’s annual National Postcard Week, which hasn’t been held for many years, organising a 50th anniversary postcard design competition and offering free entry to anyone attending its four two-day shows this year – including a major new North of England show near Beverley, Yorkshire, in August.
PTA Chairman Dave Davis said: “It’s a big year for us and our show at Junction 24 is our launch event to mark our golden anniversary.
“Whilst the golden age of collecting cards were the years leading up to World War One, there was a big revival in the mid-1970s when the PTA was established. One of our main aims is to raise awareness of our hobby which is why this year is such a big deal for us.”
PTA show secretary Clive Baker said: “We’re delighted to have a full house of dealers with 136 tables and we hope the free entry might encourage more people interested in our hobby to come along and find out what all the fuss is about.
“There will be tens of thousands of cards to look at – including many which will appeal to local history enthusiasts in Somerset to collectors of military, transport, sport, shipping and a huge array of other themes.”
The Festival of Cards will open 10am-6pm on Thursday March 27; and 9.30am-4pm on Friday March 28. Entry is free.
