The word "Postcard" is 125 years old. But who invented it?
In November 1900, during the First Postcard Exhibition in Warsaw, over 16,000 people decided that the best term for a correspondence card would be… "postcard." Henryk Sienkiewicz anonymously proposed this name – and won. Today, 125 years later, in an age of digital communication but also a trend toward "vintage," Poczta Polska reminds us of the enduring importance of postcards.
"Today, a postcard is more of a gadget than a carrier of information, but sending one is still a gesture of closeness and remembrance. Sometimes they have collector's value. And although the volume of traditional correspondence is declining, the postcard remains one of the symbols associated with the Polish Post Office, " says Joanna Trzaska-Wieczorek, spokesperson for Poczta Polska.
Between the "envelopeless" and the "indiscreet": a story with a wink
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, a new form of postage was gaining popularity – the correspondence card, modeled on the French "carte de correspondance".
In 1900, a competition was held to find a Polish equivalent for this word. Proposals included "otwartolist," "pisanka," "oglądka," "wiadomostka," and even "listowstręt." The winning proposal was submitted by Henryk Sienkiewicz himself – "pocztówka." The word became part of the Polish language. According to the PWN Dictionary of the Polish Language, it means "a card with a photograph or picture, used for correspondence."
Poczta Polska, as the national operator, not only preserves philatelic tradition but also the cultural and emotional context that postcards convey. Its offerings include both classic postcards and personalized "Moje Staczki" (My Stamps) cards—with your own photo or graphic. Among the postcards are Christmas cards and cards in both religious and secular designs. Additionally, Poczta Polska offers a wide range of year-round cards and cards—name day, birthday, wedding, and congratulatory. This allows for truly unique correspondence for special occasions. This is especially important to remember now, with Christmas approaching. More information about personalized stamps here , and postcards can be found on the Poczta Polska e-Shop .
Digitalization and the end of the notification period
In parallel with its commitment to tradition, Poczta Polska is currently undergoing a profound digital transformation. As of January 1, 2026, most government offices will be required to use the e-Delivery system – the electronic equivalent of registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt.
There are fewer and fewer letters, but the emotions are still the same.
Polish Post data shows a long-term trend: since 2011, letter volume has fallen by over 60%. In 2011, Poczta Polska delivered over 1.5 billion pieces of unregistered mail annually (primarily regular letters and postcards). By 2024, this figure had risen to 740 million.
"We are witnessing the end of an era. Traditional paper letters will fade away along with e-Delivery. But just as radio didn't disappear after the invention of television, postcards will remain, even though their role in interpersonal communication has changed significantly in recent decades, " emphasizes a spokeswoman for Poczta Polska.