If your special person loves
antique objects consider some charming alternatives to the
usual paper valentine, flowers or candy. A great idea would
be heart motif antique jewelry or other small, heart-shape
antique objects. Antique shops, mall shows and even garage
sales can yield affordable valentine possibilities. Antiques
publications and price guides can give you an idea of what to
look for and the cost.
Does he or she like to cook or
collect kitchen objects? The heart motif was a favorite subject
with 19th century folk artists and just plain farm folk who had
to create utilitarian objects. Heart forms were added to such
humble objects as trivets, forks and spoons.
For more cash are the colorful
Pennsylvania Dutch small boxes and even frakturs. Late 19th
century frakturs, with printing and art, were early birth and
marriage certificates. They often had hearts trimming borders
and the background. The earliest were first printed in black and
white; blank spaces were left for names and dates. They were
then hand-colored by whomever purchased them.
More elegant are the heart-shaped
Victorian pins and tiny boxes, as well as heart-shaped rings and
pins. What you pick depends on your budget since they can be
adorned with pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, mounted
on silver or gold.
There are also heart shaped Victorian
lockets of everything from silver and gold to gold fill and
brass. Quality of decoration is important and could be hearts
and flowers or a simple repousse design. Be sure to put your own
picture inside. There are also arrow pins in a variety of metals
, with a heart.
You can still find silver and gold
charms with tiny engraved inscriptions and precious stone
decorations. If you are serious, consider beginning a tradition:
a heart every year for a charm bracelet.
Does he or she like to sew?
Heart-shaped Victorian pin cushions and fabric boxes are still
around. The better the beadwork trim the prettier the item.
From the 1920s,30s, there are
handkerchiefs embroidered with hearts. Or, bridge table linens
with heart designs.
Quite affordable are heart-shaped
silver and silver-plate spoons. Tea spoons with heart form bowls
are made of Mexican silver and can still be found from $25
up-depending on where you discover one.
However, if only paper oldies will do
there are old comic valentines from the 1930s, just for a laugh.
Those that originally cost nickels and dimes are now from $35 up
in shops. The earliest comic valentines date to the 1840s when
they were made in large numbers. They were hand colored. By the
end of the century they were color lithographed. Especially
popular were those making fun of the self-styled lady killer and
the crabby old maid. Know anyone who fits into those categories?
Heavy drinkers might have received the following:
|
Two part round chair table. Base with lift top compartment. Courtesy: James D.
Julia Auctions. Fairfield, ME |
