Paratextelemente der Postkarte

Abstract The article examines the main paratextual elements of the postcard. The authors hold that these are not of only secondary importance to understanding this particular medium, but that they constitute it as such. Therefore, paratextual elements must be considered accordingly in an edition. Drawing on examples from the current project Frank Wedekind’s correspondence – digital edition , three aspects are focussed on: (1) the intermedial relations of text(s) and visual paratext(s) on picture postcards, (2) the meaning of specific postal paratexts such as postmark, stamp, or address and (3) the phenomenon of collective communication practices on group postcards. The authors conclude that constitutive paratextual elements of the postcard are better presented as an integral part of the edited text instead of being placed in the critical apparatus.