This ornate valentine consists of three lift-up layers. The first layer of gold, perforated lace paper includes images of pink tulips at the center, next to which are two red flowers created from silk thread. A young woman, dressed in shades of pink and white is standing above the red flower on the left side; she is carrying a basket of pink flowers. A young man dressed in peach, blue and white, is standing above the flower on the right side; he is also carrying a basket of flowers. The second layer of gold, perforated paper includes an image of a gold bird positioned in the center and an image of a white swan at the top of the paper. The third layer is gold and white perforated paper that surrounds a winter scene under which text is printed. Entitled, "To a Friend" the text reads: Some folks love new friends and new faces/the old ones are dearest to me,/For Oh, there is naught that replaces/An old friend, a true friend like thee. Card opens to reveal text that reads: A simple gift I sent thee, Dear!/Though alight indeed the offering be,/Yet it will serve to bring to mind,/I fondly trust, one thought of me!/I may not in so small a space,/Say all mine heart were fain to tell,/Yet Oh! I pray believe this truth,/the sender loves thee, dear one well. Text is bordered with pale blue flowers, the same color as the printed text.
Subjects
Baskets; Flowers; Greeting cards; Paper craft; Silk thread; Swans; Valentines; Verses (Poetry); Whitney, George C., 1842-1915; Young men; Young women
Printer
Whitney Manufacturing Company (Worcester MA)
Dimensions
22 x 14.5 cm
Date
1900-1909
Manuscript Collection
MSS 440, Greeting Card Collection
Repository
The Phillips Library at the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts
Publication Rights
Requests for permission to publish material from this collection must be submitted in writing to the Manuscript Librarian at the Phillips Library.
