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Characters: Alice in Wonderland

January 29, 2015, 10:48 am
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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 
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Sealed with a Kiss - Kissing and Smooches on Valentine Cards

February 9, 2015, 10:25 am
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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 
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Puzzle Purse 1840s-1850s

February 17, 2015, 2:24 pm
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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
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Stecher of Rochester, New York

February 24, 2015, 12:17 pm
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Oh, that this song of mine may reach your heart dear Valentine.

7" x 3 1/2"
circa 1920s 
  Mechanical Flat
   marked with Stecher logo and  '14' 



Stecher Lithographic Company is most famous for its beautiful fruit crate labels and "nurserymen's plates." The latter were exhibited at the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago.  

They began as Charles F. Muntz and Co in 1871, then became Mensing, Rahn and Stetcher around 1874/1875. They changed again to become Mensing and Stecher around 1878 and finally incorporated as Stecher Lithographic Company in January 1887.  

Originally from Germany, Frank A. Stecher became a rounding success in the chromolithographic printing business. He worked with a number of well respected artists and found more designers through contests. One such was advertised in Arts and Decoration, Vol 4 of November 1913. Prizes ranging from $25.00 to $100.00 were offered for "the best original designs suitable for postcards for either Christmas, New Year or Easter designs." 

The company still exists as Stecher-Traung-Schmidt. Its ties to Rochester were ended in 1980 when the plant there was closed. They now have offices in California.

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Artists known to have worked for Stecher:




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Sources:

Arts and Decoration, Vol 4, Nov. 1913, p 130
The National Nurseyman Vol 1 No 1, Feb. 1893, p 49
The American Stationer, Vol 79, Jan. 29, 1916, p16
The Industries of the City of Rochester, Elstner Publishing Co., 1888. p 148
Coffee and Tea Industries and the Flavor Field, Vol 38, Jan., 1915
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Bonzo the Dog - George Studdy

February 24, 2015, 1:36 pm
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It's the same old time will you be my Valentine?

6 1/2" x 7 1/8"
circa 1920s, 1930s
marked: Printed in Germany
Mechanical Flat

I've got you for My Valentine

3 1/8" x 5 1/4"
circa 1920s
made in Germany
Cat holding a small dog that looks like George E. Studdy's Bonzo character
Flat with easel stand on the back


Bonzo the dog was created by George Studdy in 1922. The character was very popular and was featured in a wide variety of merchandise from candy tins and chocolate molds, to stuffed toys, pins, perfume bottles and paper goods. He was one of the earliest cartoon characters, sometimes appearing with a cat named Ooloo. A headphone-wearing version of him known as the Crosley Pup became the face of an affordable AM radio created by Powell Crosley Jr in 1925.

There are an enormous amount of postcards to collect, with an unknown amount of die-cut valentines too. For the truly obsessed there is even a possible soundtrack for your Bonzo-hunting in 1960's The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.
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Valentine Postcards

January 7, 2016, 11:41 am
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To My Valentine ~ My Heart is Yours.

6 3/8" x 3 3/8"
circa 1910s 
  Postcard
   Divided Back
 marked 6720
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Artist - Ruth Welch Siver

January 7, 2016, 12:35 pm
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To my Valentine ~ It's a shame to spoil a pretty face Like that with tears I say, And if you'll be my Valentine I'll wipe them all away!

4 1/8" x 4 3/4"
circa 1920s
Flat with Fold Out Stand
marked: Made in USA
Signed Ruth Welch Siver


To my Valentine ~ Will you be my Valentine? I promise to adore you And to prove to you I mean it too, I'm on my knees before you!

3" x 4"
circa 1920s
Single Fold
marked: Made in USA
Signed Ruth Welch Siver


We have been unable to find any information so far on Ruth Welch Siver. Our cards bearing this name are all marked "Made in USA" and are on good quality paper. There are no other publisher's marks. The name does appear to be "Siver" on these signed cards, but is often written as Ruth Welch Silver when the cards pop up on Etsy, Ebay, etc.

The cards appear to be from the 1910s and 1920s, possibly early 1930s. Siver created many "Kewpie" style figures, very similar to Rose O'Neill's characters, as well as the figures seen in our cards here, that are similar to some of Charles Twelvetrees' work.

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Artist - Rose O'Neill

January 7, 2016, 1:11 pm
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This Heart is big enough for two If I should sit up close to you.

4 5/8" x 4 1/4"
circa 1910s, 1920s
Standing Tent-Style Fold Down
no publisher's marks
Signed by Rose O'Neill
Featuring a Kewpie

Valentine, know how I feel when you're with me? ~ Whee!!!

4 5/8" x 5" (5" x 9 1/4" opened)
dated 1974
Single Fold
made in USA
by American Greetings
Rose O'Neill's Kewpies
marked: 25v 0280-24
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You Make My Heart Swim! At the Beach and Swimsuits, Divers and Swimmers

January 11, 2016, 12:43 pm
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To my Dear-One

3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
circa 1920s 
  Flat with Easel Stand
   made in Germany 


Oh! You Heart-Breaker

4 5/8" x 7 1/2"
circa 1920s, 1930s
 Mechanical Flat
with fantastic art deco waves
 by Whitney-Made
 made in USA

 To My Valentine - Your Heart's cold I'll admit But I'll make a DIVE for it!

3 1/2" x 5 3/4"
dated 1942
Mechanical Flat
made in USA


You can hang on to me for life!

3 7/8" x 6 1/2"
circa 1910s, 1920s
 Flat with removable life preserver
unknown artist

 My Valentine Are these your knickers?  No; they're Teddies, smarty.

7 3/8" x 7 1/2"
circa 1920s
Mechanical Flat
Woman in fluffy bathing cap stands behind a parasol
made in Germany




How do I SHAPE UP as a valentine for you?

6" x 5 3/8"
circa 1930s, 1940s 
Mechanical Flat
by Carrington
'E' in tree logo
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You're No BUNNY til some BUNNY loves You

January 13, 2016, 9:04 am
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It's a SHORT TALE  Be my Valentine "Wheel you"?

7 1/2" x 6 1/2"
dated 1941 
   Mechanical Flat
   marked: U.S.A. 

I Love You FURRY Much - Valentine!

4 1/4" x 2"
circa 1930s, 1940s 
 Flat

I want you to be my Valentine.

7 3/8" x 3 1/4"
dated 1945
Mechanical Flat
Fairfield Line
marked: P-5107
made in USA


EAR'S HOPIN', Valentine! You'll be my HONEY-BUNNY!
3 3/4" x 4 3/4"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Rabbit in Top Hat
Flat



My Valentine Give me a place in your heart.

4 1/8" x 4 1/8"
circa 1930s
Standing Pop-Up

No DANGER in being My Valentine!

Rabbit with Whistle and Signal Lamp
3 1/8" x 5"
circa 1930s/1940s
Mechanical Flat
By Carrington
'A' in tree logo 


Let's be Valentines Gee, I sure am hoping that this will HIT THE SPOT so's you'll be Valentines with me 'cause I like YOU a lot!
5 1/2" x 6 1/2"
circa 1950s
Made in USA 
Mechanical Flat



I'm a timid little thing ~ Soft and cuddly too ~ Wrapped up in my rabbit skin How I'd cling to you!

Odd bunny with Rolling Eyes and weird Helmet
Made in USA 
Mechanical Flat

Be a Good Bunny My Valentine.

3 3/8" x 3 5/8"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Flat
made in USA

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Unknown artist group A

January 13, 2016, 1:46 pm
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 To My Valentine

5" x 5"
circa 1930s 
Flat
 marked: printed in U.S.A

To My Valentine With Love

2 7/8" x 3 5/8"
circa 1930s 
Stand-Up
 marked: made in U.S.A



These two cards each feature a pair of tousled haired figures and similar border treatments. Although the sizes  are different, they appear to be by the same artist and could possibly be part of the same set.
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Deep Sea and Scuba Divers

January 13, 2016, 3:54 pm
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I'm coming up to ask you to be my Valentine.

standing fold-out
circa 1940s/1950s


Be in the swim with me, Valentine.  

6" x 3"
circa 1960s
Flat
marked: 4/5
made in U.S.A
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Animals - Pigs, Hogs, Swine

January 14, 2016, 1:40 pm
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 Love - Of Our Love I like to BRAG Because I know it's in the BAG.

6 5/8" x 5 1/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Mechanical Flat
marked: Made in Canada

 I'm no HOG but I want you for My Valentine!

circa 1940s, 1950s
Flat
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Toys - Riding My High (Hobby) Horse

January 20, 2016, 1:16 pm
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 To my Valentine.

4 1/8" x 4 3/8"
dated 1919
Dimensional
2 layers
 Standing Card



Whoa! I won't Nag You if you'll be my Valentine.

5" x 6 3/4"
circa 1930s
Mechanical Flat
marked: Made in U.S.A.
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Suffragettes - Votes For Women and Women's Rights Themes on Valentine Cards

January 20, 2016, 2:28 pm
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Votes for Women Votes for me for a Valentine.

8 5/8" x 5 1/4"
dated 1916
Flat with Easel Stand
Likely by Charles Twelvetrees
marked: made in U.S.A.
S Bergman
NY
1916

Equal Franchise - No Votes No Hearts - Votes for Women (on the bench) Sweetheart, I cannot keep away, this love of mine is true; My passion is most marked, Because I have designs on you.

2 1/2" x 2 3/4"
circa 1910s, 1920s
marked: Germany



To my Valentine Greetings - Back  to the Background - Be careful, men, of the advocate Of women's rights in the single state. If you marry one, Your trouble's begun -- You'll count for less than half your weight!


3 1/2" x 5 1/2"
dated 1906
Postcard
Published by Raphael Tuck and Sons
 Series No 5
Artistic Series Logo
Undivided Back
anti-suffragette theme

My Valentine I believe in womens rights And I'm right here Waiting for you.


3 1/2" x 5 1/8"
circa 1910s, 1920s
Flat with Fold-Back Stand
no publisher's marks
embossed detailing
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Snagglepuss - A Hanna-Barbera Character "Heavens to Murgatroyd - Exit, Stage Left"

January 24, 2016, 11:18 am
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I'm eating my heart out for You!

5 1/4" x 3 1/2"
circa 1950s, 1960s
   Flat
   no publisher's marks
 Snagglepuss
Hanna-Barbera Character
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Music - Singers, Choirs: Love Songs for My Valentine!

January 28, 2016, 2:25 pm
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Lovin' you is automatic, I love you - and that's no STATIC.

2 1/2" x 3 3/4"
circa 1950S, 1960s
   Flat
marked: Made in U.S.A.
  no other publisher's marks
but known to be a Doubl-Glo Card

Valentine No Blue Notes If you Let me HORN-IN  and Say - Be Mine!

3 1/8" x 5 1/2"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Flat
marked: Made in U.S.A.
 no other publisher's marks

♫ I sing of YOU my Valentine ♪ Now try the
♪ CHORUS "We are Valentines"♫

6" x 4 1/8"
dated 1937
single fold stand-up
made by Carrington
in USA
'A' in tree logo


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Maker: American Colortype Company aka AC CO

February 11, 2016, 12:02 pm
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She Loves me, She loves me not

3 3/8" x 4"
circa 1910s, 1920s
made in USA
by American Colortype Co
Flat


American Colortype Co often used the mark AC Co. They were founded in 1904 and active into the 1950s. Among their offerings were stereoview cards, postcards, greeting cards, chromolithographic prints, paper dolls, advertising and more. The company was large and at one point owned the Sam Gabriel Co. Some of their more sought after items were those created for the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.





Dear Valentine ~ You're mine ~ I have captured your heart.

4 1/2" x 2 3/4" (4 1/2" x 5 1/2" opened) 
circa 1930s
   Single Fold
 marked: AC Co
Product of U.S.A.
156 
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Profession - Waiter, Waitress, Food Servers - Serves You Right!

October 19, 2016, 5:00 pm
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 I'll put my order in right now! I want you, Valentine - And How!

3 3/4" x 5"
circa 1940s
Fold-Out
Marked: P 7130-C
made in U.S.A.
by Golden Bell


Serves you Right! For being so sweet...No wonder I like you Valentine! For some kids I don't give a hoop, but YOU have knocked me for a LOOP.

3 7/8" x 3 7/8" (3 7/8" x 7 5/8" opened)
circa 1930s 
Single Fold
 marked: made in USA
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1920s Flapper Style - Flappers, Zoot Suits and the Cat's Pajamas

October 20, 2016, 12:03 pm
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A Riddle for my Valentine Tell me: - Why are you like a Leopard? (over) Because I have you already spotted for My Valentine!

5 1/4" x 5 3/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s
   Flat
    marked: Printed in U.S.Am.
no other publisher's marks


Why beat around the bush? Be My Valentine!


6 1/2" x 5 1/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s
   Flat
    marked: Printed in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks
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