Series
The difference between a set and a series is subtle. A set of
postcards, either numbered or unnumbered, was originally sold together:
individual cards were not available separately. A series of cards
numbered or not, is a group of postcards with a common theme that are
sold individually. Since it may be difficult today for a
collector to find either complete sets or complete series, they will all be referred to as series.
From 1910 until 1970 the BSA issued 13 different series of postcards.
(01) The Scout Law series of 1913. (14 designs - 2 printings)
(02) First Activity Cards: 1913. (30 designs - 3 printings)
(03) Christmas Postcards: 1914. (10 designs - 3 printings)
(04) Second Activity Cards: 1917. (30 designs - 3 printings)
(05) The Ryte — Me Calendar: 1917. (6 cards - 2 printings)
(06) Generic Camp Postcards of 1947. (10 cards)
(07) National Jamboree Postcards for 1950. (12 cards)
The Merin Studios of Philadelphia published as set of twelve slightly undersized black and white postcards by photo offset. They were not issued by the BSA. Never-the-less they have an official Jamboree emblem on the back, were sold at the Jamboree trading posts, and are always included with Jamboree memorabilia. We prefer to list them at 2nd National BSA Jamboree, 1950: Official Postcards but are mentioning them here for completeness.
(- -) Linen Valley Forge Postcards for the 1950 Jamboree. (15 cards)
Curt-Teich took a fifteen standard Valley Forge postcards and sold them as Jamboree souvenirs in a postcard mailer labeled "1950 Boy Scout Jamboree." The individual cards make no mention of Scouts and are indistinguishable from those sold for several years both before and after the Jamboree. The BSA had nothing to do with them, and most collectors do not consider them Boy Scout Postcards, though the mailers are often mentioned as Jamboree collectibles.
(- -) Linen Newport Beach Postcards for the 1953 Jamboree. (15 cards)
As they did in 1950, Curt-Teich sold postcard mailers (one in green and one in orange) containing standard Newport Beach, California postcards as a souvenir for the Jamboree held in nearby Santa Anna, California.
(08) Generic Camp Postcards of 1956. (10 cards)
(09) National Jamboree Postcards for 1957. (12 cards)
The Merin Studios published a series of twelve postcards. There were six designs: each design was printed both in a brownish tone and in a greenish tone. (See comments under their 1950 postcards and 4th National BSA Jamboree, 1957: Official Postcards)
(- -) Curt-Teich Souvenirs for the 1957 Jamboree. (21 cards)
Once again, Curt-Teich repackaged standard Valley Forge postcards as Jamboree souvenirs. They sold two sets: the same linen set as in 1950, and a set of six chrome postcards. Both mailers were mislabeled "Third" National Jamboree.
(10) Generic Camp Postcards of 1958. (10 cards)
(- -) Curt-Teich Souvenirs for the 1960 Jamboree. (12 cards)
This time Curt-Teich repackaged standard Air Force Academy postcards from Colorado Springs, as well as Garden of the Gods postcards from Colorado Springs, Colorado as Jamboree souvenirs. Each set contained six cards. The individual postcards have nothing to do with the Boy Scouts or the Jamboree. The mailers in which the postcards came are Boy Scout Jamboree collectible items.
(11) Scouts of the World - Boxed set of 1964. (68 cards)
In conjunction with the National Jamboree held in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, the BSA published a boxed set of sixty-eight chrome postcards. Each card depicts a Boy Scout from a different country or territory dressed in his official Scout uniform. All of the cards are in vertical (portrait) format.
The postcards were printed for the Boy Scouts by Dexter Press. The spine on the back of the cards carries the BSA logo and copyright notice with the 1964 date. The company name does not appear on the cards, but its numbering scheme is evident.
Although many dealers have broken up sets to sell the cards individually, neither the individual cards nor the complete boxes are very difficult to find.
(12) New York World's Fair of 1964/65. (6 cards)
Continuing its relationship with the BSA, Dexter printed this attractive set of six postcards depicting the Wonderful World of Scouting exhibit as well as the activities of the Boy Scout Service Corps at the World's Fair. The cards were sold in packets similar to the one shown above.
(13) Scouts of the World - Boxed set of 1968. (111 cards)
At least partially due to the popularity of the previous boxed set, the BSA updated the series in 1968. By including more countries that had Scouting programs, they were able to expand the new set to 111 cards in the same vertical format. Since the cards from both series look similar from the front, it is necessary to carefully examine the back for the copyright date when examining individual cards. The boxes themselves are totally different.