Disneyland Postcards Serial Numbers

Serial Numbers Postcard Variations

I'm quite often asked, "Can I tell the age of the card from the serial number in the stamp box?" Well, the answer is yes and no. There are some clues to help you narrow down the age, but unfortunately, we can't get the exact year. With the help of The Nickel Tour, we're able to determine the following.
P-Series Concept Cards - mid 1950s
Called the P-Series since the serial number starts with the letter P (followed by five numbers - P11877 for example) these highly sought-after cards feature 23 different concept art sketches of Disneyland before construction began.
P-Series Attraction Cards - mid 1950s
Plastichrome by the Colourpicture Corporation.
Disneyland is now up and running and we get the first images of the Park on postcards.
D-100 Series - mid 1950s
Mirro-Krome by H.S. Crocker Company
The second series of cards featuring the almost brand-new Disneyland.
Alpha Series - mid 1950s to mid 1960s
Mike Roberts Color Productions and H.S. Crocker Company
This is probably the only time that the serial number on the backs of the cards made sense. Each serial number started with a letter that indicated the land: For example, A=Main St., B=Adventureland, C=Frontierland, D=Fantasyland and E=Tomorrowland
Art Corner - 1956 - 1959
Published by Bob Plunkett
Another set of very rare, highly sought after cards featuring images designed by the Disney Studio. There are approximately 20 cards in this set.
PDL - 1960 - 1962
Published by Hallmark
PDL. Pretty Darn Large or Postcard Disneyland. This group included 28 oversized cards featuring some unique views of Disneyland.
1965 - 1969
Three different publishers were used during the 1960s with the following serial numbers.
1-xxx - H.S. Crocker
1-xxx SCxxxx - Mike Roberts Color Productions
1-xxx DTxxxxxC - Dexter Press

1970s
Two different publishers were used during the 1970s with the following serial numbers.
0111 xxxx - H.S. Crocker
0111 xxxx DTxxxxxC - Dexter Press

1980s
Two things to look for to spot the age of a card from the 1980s.
1. In 1984, Disneyland began selling cards in the continental size. That is, 4" x 6" rather than the previous 3.5" x 5.5".
2. In 1986, Disney changes it's name from "Walt Disney Productions" to "The Walt Disney Company" and the copyright stamp on the backs of the cards reflects this change by just being stamped "Disney."
1990s to Today
Today, as with most products, the serial numbers are now joined with a UPC code.

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	I'm quite often asked, "Can I tell the age of the card from the serial number in the stamp box?" Well, the answer is yes and no. There are some clues to help you narrow down the age, but unfortunately, we can't get the exact year. With the help of The Nickel Tour, we're able to determine the following.
	P-Series Concept Cards - mid 1950s Called the P-Series since the serial number starts with the letter P (followed by five numbers - P11877 for example) these highly sought-after cards feature 23 different concept art sketches of Disneyland before construction began.
	P-Series Attraction Cards - mid 1950s Plastichrome by the Colourpicture Corporation. Disneyland is now up and running and we get the first images of the Park on postcards.
	D-100 Series - mid 1950s Mirro-Krome by H.S. Crocker Company The second series of cards featuring the almost brand-new Disneyland.
	Alpha Series - mid 1950s to mid 1960s Mike Roberts Color Productions and H.S. Crocker Company This is probably the only time that the serial number on the backs of the cards made sense. Each serial number started with a letter that indicated the land: For example, A=Main St., B=Adventureland, C=Frontierland, D=Fantasyland and E=Tomorrowland
	Art Corner - 1956 - 1959 Published by Bob Plunkett Another set of very rare, highly sought after cards featuring images designed by the Disney Studio. There are approximately 20 cards in this set.
	PDL - 1960 - 1962 Published by Hallmark PDL. Pretty Darn Large or Postcard Disneyland. This group included 28 oversized cards featuring some unique views of Disneyland.
	1965 - 1969 Three different publishers were used during the 1960s with the following serial numbers. 1-xxx - H.S. Crocker 1-xxx SCxxxx - Mike Roberts Color Productions 1-xxx DTxxxxxC - Dexter Press
	1970s Two different publishers were used during the 1970s with the following serial numbers. 0111 xxxx - H.S. Crocker 0111 xxxx DTxxxxxC - Dexter Press
	1980s Two things to look for to spot the age of a card from the 1980s. 1. In 1984, Disneyland began selling cards in the continental size. That is, 4" x 6" rather than the previous 3.5" x 5.5". 2. In 1986, Disney changes it's name from "Walt Disney Productions" to "The Walt Disney Company" and the copyright stamp on the backs of the cards reflects this change by just being stamped "Disney."
	1990s to Today Today, as with most products, the serial numbers are now joined with a UPC code.