When was the last time you sent or received a postcard? If you answered “not recently” then you’re not alone. These days, when we’re apart from friends and family we have a variety of electronic ways to enjoy instant communication.

But that wasn’t always the case. In the early 20th century Londoners, like other Canadians, often relied on postcards to touch base, share news and arrange meetings. In 1900, they sent 27,000 of them. By 1913, that number had exploded to over 60,000,000. This growth reflects what had become a mania for collecting them. Londoners sent and received picture postcards with the goal of building up the best and most complete collection possible. Today, Museum London holds several such collections. Come see the many on display.