Valentine is now closed.

We will reopen at our new location at 581 Woodward Ave. on Friday September 25th. with new and recent paintings by Bobbie Oliver curated with Mary-Ann Monforton. 

It's a bit smaller but the real estate wolf won't be knocking at the door for many years. It is with humble gratitude and appreciation to all who have given me the opportunity to share your work and to all who have visited that I say 

Cheers!

Fred Valentine

Puzzle Purse 1840s-1850s

Friendship's Wish

No rubies on the Indian shore,
Outshine thy noble mind;
Its radiance far excels them all,
And blesses humankind.

A heart of heavenly purity,
Is laid within thy breast;
And ever, for the weary soul,
It breathes some tone of rest.

5" x 5" opened
More text within card
circa 1840s-1850s
no publisher's parks
Heart Shaped Puzzle Purse

Puzzle purse style valentine cards were often handmade and square shaped in the 18th century. This heart shaped 19th century version is professionally printed with hand painted detailing on the front and back cover pieces. Our scans are only possible because this card has endured some minor damage. The thread at the bottom point of the heart that can be seen in the images of the hand-tinted covers would normally prevent the interior pages from laying flat. While this damage is unfortunate and does affect the card's value, it at least lets us take a more careful look at the interior printing. This card's rarity and advanced age mean that even with its faults it is quite a valuable find. 

The earlier 18th century versions are even more rarely to be found offered for sale. These cards generally reside in the collections of museums or in the famous collections held by the Hallmark company, Norcross, etc. Many of these well known collections in the USA got their start when what remained of the enormous holdings of famed collector and card creator Jonathan King were split up and sold in the late 1950s. Despite King's location in England, a great many - perhaps even the majority - of his cards made their way to the States as Valentine's Day has enjoyed much greater sustained popularity here than in his home country. The Hallmark Historical Collection contains the largest portion of what was sold, having been purchased by the writer Carroll Alton Means and then either gifted or sold to the company.

The hearts that form the front and back of this puzzle purse can also be found as flats, folders and even wall hanging type cards. All are very old and quite hard to come by. The printing and hand painted detailing style is very similar to some small printed cards that can be found bearing the name "Howland." I have examples of these posted in the Esther Howland entry although it is possible they may be more properly credited to S. A. Howland, the printer, stationer, and father of Esther Howland, who was active before his daughter's famous valentine ventures.

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Sources:

Barbra Johnson, Ph.D. - Valentines A Collector's Guide, Collector Books, 2011

Frank Staff - The Valentine and Its Origins, Frederick A. Praeger, 1969

Sealed with a Kiss - Kissing and Smooches on Valentine Cards

Will you be My Valentine?

5 1/2" x 3 1/2"
circa 1920s
marked: Series 1260
made in USA
Flat
made in USA

Valentine Greetings St. Valentine, You are a Dear, May you live for Many a Year.

3 7/8" x 4 1/4"
circa 1910s, 1920s
Flat
Easel Stand on back 

Characters: Alice in Wonderland

Alice thru the Looking Glass saw Wondrous Sights did she Now if you'll look into this one My Valentine you'll see...

5 3/8" x 5 1/8"
circa 1930s
Fold-Out
marked: Made in USA 

Valentine is pleased to present 

               3 WHO 3D

New and Recent Sculptures by

             Michael Ballou, 

           Shari Mendelson 

               Kurt Steger

opening Friday January 9  
from 6:00-9:00

 This exhibit will run through Sunday February 1st

Swastikas on Valentines

Valentine's Greetings, Love's Joys, To My Valentine.

10 1/2" x 4"
circa 1910s
2-Piece Hanging Flat
 'E' stamped in blue ink on the back of lower piece.
Ribbon secured with stamps bearing swastikas
marked 'Lucky Star Pat. Pend.'

Prior to the 1930s, the swastika was a symbol present in several different cultures with some variance in meaning, appearing in Asia, Europe and North America. It was greatly popular in the 1900s and 1910s, in the USA often found on New Year's cards and postcards as well as other paper goods and assorted commercial items. It was used as a symbol by the 45th Infantry division of the United States Army. There was flour sold under the Swastika brand as well as the symbol's appearance on several product logos and labels. This changed when the Nazi party, who had adapted it as their own in 1920, rose to prominence in the 1930s. The symbol's original meanings and past popularity still remain overwhelmed by this infamous association.

On valentine cards, its presence is rare, even on cards produced at the height of its popularity. This is the only card I currently have in my collection that bears this symbol. Here it appears on the card back, as an incidental symbol on the stickers used to adhere the ribbon to the cards.

Valentine is pleased to present

4 WHO PAINT

 Peter Acheson, Yevgeniya Baras

Andrew Baron, Gaby Collins- Fernandez

Detail Andrew A

Detail Gaby C F

Detail Peter A

Detail Yevgeniya  B

Opening Friday November 21 from 6:00 -9:00

This exhibit runs through December 21

Valentine will be closed Thanksgiving weekend