Gadget Mania

Senin, 20 Oktober 2014

Publisher Ed. Wolf

No Text.

3" x 4 1/2"
dated 1882
Flat
A Stock Trade Card whose theme and color scheme fits right in with Valentines.

The "Ed. Wolf" in question is likely Edward Wolf of the Wolf Brothers, who went on to form the International Art Publishing Company with brothers Isaac and Gustave, and Samuel Garre of the Art Lithographic Publishing Co., later in the 19th century. That company produced postcards. They are best known for their postcards illustrated by Ellen Clapsaddle.

Items marked by Ed. Wolf are rather rare. I have seen other cards that have had the same dimensions and have been similar in appearance, even having the same 1882 copyright date. Those like this one shown have been the only cards I have seen bearing this publishing name.

Minggu, 19 Oktober 2014

Mossman - Maker of 19th Century Paper Lace Valentine Cards

Loves Offering

3 7/8" x 5 1/2"
circa 1870s, 1880s
Single Fold

David Mossman (1825-1901) was an English valentine maker who created lovely paper lace cards dating to the 1860s through at least the 1880s. His paper lace blanks were sometimes purchased by others to finish. There is an example of a card finished by famed valentine collector Jonathan King that resides in the collection of the Museum Of London. I don't know if Howland used any of his blanks. I have read mention of Mossman cards featuring "splendid miniature paintings"* but have not seen any examples of such cards myself. Examples of Mossman cards reside in the collections of several museums.

Our card features fine detailing in the paper lace. The front is adorned with applied Victorian scraps. The interior has a hand written verse:

No other motive has been mine
For sending you this Valentine
Except my friendship to express
And wish you wealth and happiness.

*Jonathan King as quoted on p34 of The American Stationer, Volume 68, July 2, 1910
*********************************************************

SOURCES:

Ruth Webb Lee - A History of Valentines, 1952
The American Stationer, Volume 68, July 2, 1910

Senin, 13 Oktober 2014

Cannons - Big Shots in Love

You're the BIG SHOT in my life, Dear Valentine.

6 1/4" x 4 1/2"
circa 1940s, 1950s
Mechanical Flat
marked: made in USA
L-172

To My Valentine.

12 1/8" x 8 5/8" x 2 1/4"
Dimensional Card
Angels with Cannon
5 layers
circa 1900s, 1910s
marked: Germany
features a tissue paper flag emblazoned with a heart
and paper-puff accent in red
perhaps a Frances Brundage

Animals - Deer

I love you DEER-ly Valentine!

2 3/8" x 5"
circa 1960s
Flat
made in USA

You're a DEER - Be my Valentine.

4 1/2" x 3 1/4"
circa 1950s
Flat
made in USA
marked 59VK-747-16
card was punched out of a book or set

Kamis, 09 Oktober 2014

Goofy Gumpus Series - Valentine Card Cryptozoology

There are at least 2 different versions of the Goofy Gumpus series of mechanical flat valentine cards. The slightly larger version (our top card seen below) is on heavier paper and has a more matte look to its finish than the slightly smaller version (seen below at bottom). Both feature nonsensical animals with 3 different heads and a figure with a sign (Valentine Greetings) seated atop the beast.