Humorous Mid-Nineteenth Century Vinegar Valentine "A Fright" by NA

n.p.: Mossman, 1870. Very good. Single sheet, folded to approx. 3-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches, pierced in a lace pattern in the center and at the edges, and embossed with flowers and leaves. In the center is a young girl holding a circlet above her head, affixed to the card only by her foot, which is standing on a group of clouds, also attached only in sections, to give a three-dimensional effect. Beneath is a scroll reading, "If I lose you, I am lost". The scroll, girl and clouds are entirely hand-painted; flowers and leaves are hand-colored. With 'Mossman' lightly blind-embossed at the rear of the page. There is a tiny break in the fragile border paper lacework, image slightly dusty, else in very good condition and unused. Scarce.

1860. Single leaf measuring 5 by 7 3/4 inches. A drawing of a young man and woman glancing shyly at each other, with their noses drawn in an angular fashion so as to point at each other. Below the figures is penned words "i cant [sic] stop long this time." A Feb. 25, 1861 inscription on the verso says "Valentine - Mr. Willis E. Marden." The young man wears simple clothing, a blue hat with a red band, a red shirt, and blue pants. His hair is long and curly. The woman's costume is more elaborate; she wears red shoes and a beaded necklace with her blue dress, and her uncovered hair is curled. The sheet of paper was once folded into quarters. Until postal rates became standardized, early valentines were typically folded, sealed, and hand-delivered to a beloved's doorstep. Pennsylvania-German or Dutch handmade valentines gained recognition for their fine workmanship, with detailed pinprick and cutout designs. This example is no less remarkable for its simplicity. Some faint discoloration, primarily to… Read More

Unbound. Very Good. Winsome collection of manuscript color illustrations, and light text, for part of a children's story. N.d., circa 1920s. The first card, or what is presumed to be so, bears the legend, "To My Valentine", with the name of "Ann Warren Stewart", written on a mailbox. Since Ann is a character in these drawings, we can assume she was not the author or illustrator but rather perhaps a recipient or dedicatee. The artwork is in the style, loosely, of Mabel Lucie Attwell or the Sally Dick and Jane readers. While it is simple, and perhaps even a touch naive, it is also very polished and almost certainly was executed by an adult. And so we see a small child fetching a giant heart-shaped valentine from a mailbox, a toddler stumbling off a chair, an older child trying to interest a baby in toys, and an older toddler climbing up and down a high chair. Each of these cards is fit for framing and hanging on a wall. Now disbound, there are three margin holes that… Read More

1925. Very good condition. A sweet die cut card for a cat lover or a French cat lover on Valentine's day, with two cats made of soft fabric, one white and one black and perched on a red tile roof, each wearing a real silk ribbon, their tails entwined. Another small black cat gazes up at them from an open window below. At the lower left a 1925 calendar, with the months of October through December remaining. Each numbered day is listed with a French first name. Standing card on folded card stock. The French house illustrated in color; the cats with soft black and white fabric laid down. The miniature calendar a bit tender, the cover a bit loose, but holding. 3 1/2 x 6"

Glass lacking on frame.. A grouping of materials belonging to John D. Ripley found by a descendant among papers in the of the Putnam-Houser House in 1981. Contents include:A 12" x 15" scherenschnitte or cut-work paper valentine with elongated floral design and circular decorative elements at border. Center has a hand-penned verse reading "This Valentine I sent to You As evidence of high respect, And when you read if e'er you do, Don't treat this missive with neglect. Intricately cut from one sheet of paper. Few separations and light water stains. Housed in mahogany frame. It is accompanied by a silk punch paper sampler bookmark depicting a rose and the name John Ripley. The punch work measures 2 1/4" x 5". The bookmark was found in the family Bible, 1857. Also includes a polished stock visiting card and embossed envelope addressed to John Ripley Esq. Accompanying the material is a note card signed by J. H. Houser Jr., describing the materials. This is all accompanied by a typewritten genealogy… Read More

n.p.: Mossman, 1870. Very good. Single sheet, folded to approx. 3-1/2 by 5-1/2 inches, pierced in a lace pattern in the center and at the edges, and embossed with flowers and leaves. In the center is a young girl holding a circlet above her head, affixed to the card only by her foot, which is standing on a group of clouds, also attached only in sections, to give a three-dimensional effect. Beneath is a scroll reading, "If I lose you, I am lost". The scroll, girl and clouds are entirely hand-painted; flowers and leaves are hand-colored. With 'Mossman' lightly blind-embossed at the rear of the page. There is a tiny break in the fragile border paper lacework, image slightly dusty, else in very good condition and unused. Scarce.

1860. Single leaf measuring 5 by 7 3/4 inches. A drawing of a young man and woman glancing shyly at each other, with their noses drawn in an angular fashion so as to point at each other. Below the figures is penned words "i cant [sic] stop long this time." A Feb. 25, 1861 inscription on the verso says "Valentine - Mr. Willis E. Marden." The young man wears simple clothing, a blue hat with a red band, a red shirt, and blue pants. His hair is long and curly. The woman's costume is more elaborate; she wears red shoes and a beaded necklace with her blue dress, and her uncovered hair is curled. The sheet of paper was once folded into quarters. Until postal rates became standardized, early valentines were typically folded, sealed, and hand-delivered to a beloved's doorstep. Pennsylvania-German or Dutch handmade valentines gained recognition for their fine workmanship, with detailed pinprick and cutout designs. This example is no less remarkable for its simplicity. Some faint discoloration, primarily to… Read More

Unbound. Very Good. Winsome collection of manuscript color illustrations, and light text, for part of a children's story. N.d., circa 1920s. The first card, or what is presumed to be so, bears the legend, "To My Valentine", with the name of "Ann Warren Stewart", written on a mailbox. Since Ann is a character in these drawings, we can assume she was not the author or illustrator but rather perhaps a recipient or dedicatee. The artwork is in the style, loosely, of Mabel Lucie Attwell or the Sally Dick and Jane readers. While it is simple, and perhaps even a touch naive, it is also very polished and almost certainly was executed by an adult. And so we see a small child fetching a giant heart-shaped valentine from a mailbox, a toddler stumbling off a chair, an older child trying to interest a baby in toys, and an older toddler climbing up and down a high chair. Each of these cards is fit for framing and hanging on a wall. Now disbound, there are three margin holes that… Read More

1925. Very good condition. A sweet die cut card for a cat lover or a French cat lover on Valentine's day, with two cats made of soft fabric, one white and one black and perched on a red tile roof, each wearing a real silk ribbon, their tails entwined. Another small black cat gazes up at them from an open window below. At the lower left a 1925 calendar, with the months of October through December remaining. Each numbered day is listed with a French first name. Standing card on folded card stock. The French house illustrated in color; the cats with soft black and white fabric laid down. The miniature calendar a bit tender, the cover a bit loose, but holding. 3 1/2 x 6"

Glass lacking on frame.. A grouping of materials belonging to John D. Ripley found by a descendant among papers in the of the Putnam-Houser House in 1981. Contents include:A 12" x 15" scherenschnitte or cut-work paper valentine with elongated floral design and circular decorative elements at border. Center has a hand-penned verse reading "This Valentine I sent to You As evidence of high respect, And when you read if e'er you do, Don't treat this missive with neglect. Intricately cut from one sheet of paper. Few separations and light water stains. Housed in mahogany frame. It is accompanied by a silk punch paper sampler bookmark depicting a rose and the name John Ripley. The punch work measures 2 1/4" x 5". The bookmark was found in the family Bible, 1857. Also includes a polished stock visiting card and embossed envelope addressed to John Ripley Esq. Accompanying the material is a note card signed by J. H. Houser Jr., describing the materials. This is all accompanied by a typewritten genealogy… Read More