Valentine Lilacs -Postcard Friendship Friday #253

I apologize for missing the past two weeks.  This has been an extremely hard time for my family and me.  May God bless and keep you, as He has done with us, as we walk this path of grief together.

Here is another postcard from my "cyber" collection. I've posted this before, but because I love this postcard so much, I am putting it up again.  I adore the drape of the lilacs and the way they frame the delightful countenance of this lovely young woman. I can almost smell the aroma of the lilac trees. Ah--how we all long for spring. I can hardly wait for the lilacs.

Have a lovely week and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard,be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the pieces you love and tell us why you like them.

 *  REMINDER:  and links which contain advertising will be deleted. Also, any and all suspicious links which do not lead to a correct website will be reported and deleted.

I'll Camp Near You -Guest Heart Thursday

This perky young lady has a moveable arm. Movement is allowed by a tiny metal fitting, which you can see if you look closely. That arm of hers is quite muscular!  lol  This Valentine Card is made of thick cardboard, and was probably published around World War One.

 If anyone out there has any information about this card, I would love to hear from you!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Valentine Roses

I was out walking a yesterday and happened upon a bevy of roses.  Roses in January have a special significance for me and my family.  For birthdays, rather than decorating with frosting, my family used real flowers.

Daddy's birthday came in mid-January--to find flowers that time of year was a true challenge.  Since Dad's nickname was "Bud," it became a tradition to seek out a January rosebud for his birthday cake.  I can't remember a year when we didn't find one.

When I saw those roses, so crisp and pretty, tears came to my eyes.  Happy Birthday, dearest Daddy and Happy Valentine's Day in heaven.

Box of Candy - Guest Heart Thursday

I must confess--I borrowed this scanned card from my sweet Sissy--the hostess of Guest Heart Thursday.  I just so LOVED that picturesque box of candy, those delicate flowers--what a beautiful card this is and so perfect for the day.

I adore you, SissyBoo.  (grin)

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

 

Basket of Hearts - Guest Heart Thursday

I am one of those who believe we should celebrate Valentine's Day every day of the year.  And I especially enjoy the rich color and whimsical nature of many vintage Valentine's Day Cards.  This one is especially delightful.  I adore the idea of combining hearts with four leafed clovers.   I am also reasonably sure this cute little fellow would be more than happy to share his basket of hearts.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Heart Arch - Guest Heart Thursday

This wonderful old card was sent to our Dad when he was in the fourth Grade.  As you can see, the card is a pop-out.  The background rested on the flap you see, so that the children stood on their own, as did the basket of violets.  So pretty.

I'm so glad Sissy scanned it so I can share it here.  I adore this card--not only because it was sent to Dad and was from Great Uncle George and Great Aunt Pearl, but because of the exquisite artwork.  What a lovely lovely old card!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

To My Valentine - Postcard Friendship Friday #100

Though Valentine's Day had been around a LONG time before, it was 498 AD, when Pope Gelasius officially declared February 14th to be St. Valentine's Day.

The oldest known Valentine still in existence today is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. The greeting, written in 1415, is part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.

Several years later, it is believed King Henry V actually hired a writer to compose a Valentine note to the lovely Catherine of Valois.  He eventually won her heart.

Today Valentine's Day is second only to Christmas in the flood of cards sent through snail mail to friends and loved ones!  An admirer of cards and postcards vintage, or otherwise, I am extremely grateful for this sweet tradition.

*  NOTE: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards or the love of postcards, will be deleted.

Pop Flop - Guest Heart Thursday

This is from my Valentine's Day Card collection.  I have a bunch of these very thick cardboard valentines,  made to fit onto the stick part of a "pop."  This one was extra cute!

I'm Humpty dumpty on a wall,

Heart and all about to fall

Now, if you don't accept this pop

My live will be in an awful flop.

Just perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Get the Point? - Guest Heart Thursday

This one is for Sissy--and also for all you wonderful heart lovers out there!  Isn't this just the sweetest Valentine?  Get the point?!  I thought this perfect for today's Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Best Friends - Guest Heart Thursday

I post this in honor of my darling Sister Clytie, Queen of Hearts--and one of my very best Friends.  I think she is AMAZING.  

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Crazy 'Boutcha - Guest Heart Thursday

Here is another Valentine's Day card from my collection.  I've been told this card was probably produced in the 1940's in the USA.  I adore this little pig-tailed cutie--her canoe is darling, too.  Would a canoe with hearts be just the thing?  With all this warm weather, a canoe trip also seems just fine to me.  A wonderful way to beat the heat.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

I'll Chews YOU Every Time - Guest Heart Thursday

Made in the USA, this Valentine's Day Card was made to stand, by folding down one side.  This card was probably printed in the 1940's.  Notice the gum in her bag and how much she is enjoying stretching the gum from mouth to fingers.  What kid wouldn't?!  I also love her shoes, hat, dress--and that little duck is just adorable.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

My Ears are Smokin' - Guest Heart Thursday

Does anyone out there remember pogs?  I managed to save a few Pog Valentines Day cards from the 1980's.  My kids loved them and collected quite a few.  This Valentine Card particularly hit my funny bone.  Enjoy!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

 

Still my Valentine? - Guest Heart Thursday

I believe this card is from my darling Sister Clytie's collection of "Ivar cards."  I just LOVE this funny missive.  It's perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Right on Deck - Guest Heart Thursday

I love this old valentine.  His sailor suit is just wonderful!  When I was perusing through my card collection this morning, I had a flash of memory.  I remember when I was very young--four or five years old,  my adored Uncle Jody came to visit.  He wore a sailor suit, hat and all.  I thought he was (next to my Daddy) the most handsome fellow I'd ever seen.  Uncle Joe loved all of us so much.  I do miss him.  I can still see his smile and hear his voice.

This Sailor also reminds me of Tweety Bird from Looney Tunes.  I think I'd sail along with this dapper chick any time.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday!

Count on Me - Guest Heart Thursday

I love these cuties!  They are in perfect step with one another--although as a Mom, I would not ever have put my children in WHITE shoes!! 

Did you notice the hearts in their cheeks?  Also, the black and white designs around the big heart are quite unusual for that time, probably sometime during the early 1930's.  I thought this Valentine Card as perfect for Guest Heart Thursday.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Quakin' Good - Guest Heart Thursday

Here's another funny Valentine card from my collection.  This one was printed in the United States in the late 1940/'s.  The coy look in this ducky's eyes, along with those fabulous britches and those, er, thorny feet--make him quite a catch!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

You're the Goal I'm After

This is one of my favorite Valentine cards from my collection. This beautifully crafted card is unique because the upper part of the hockey player's body as well as the hockey stick move. There is a tiny metal rivet located in the boy's right hand.

The card was published in Canada most likely sometime in the late 1920's. I just love the old skates and uniform--back then there seemed to be hardly any padding for protection!

Bonne Annee - Pink Saturday

This little Cherub surrounded with pink blossoms seemed perfect for Pink Saturday today!  Have a wonderful week, everyone.  

I want to thank each of you for your kind words concerning our loss -- what a precious comfort as we miss our Bootz so very much.  Bootz the Cat will always be dear to our hearts.

For more wonderful things in pink, visit Beverly at  How Sweet The Sound!  

Mother of the American Valentine - Postcard Friendship Friday #49

I find it amazing that one woman, Esther Howland, is held responsible for the creation of our modern day Valentine's Day Card.  It goes to show one person really can accomplish incredible things. 

In the mid-1800's, with technological advances and the availability of paper, Esther is credited with several innovations in Valentine design. One was the small brightly colored wafer of paper placed beneath, to give contrast under the white paper lace; another was the built-up shadow box.
  

It all began through the family business.  Esther's family operated the largest bookstore and stationery store in Worchester, Massachusetts.  Born in the same time period as poet Emily Dickenson, the young girl received a beautifully intricate English Valentine and was inspired.  She persuaded her Dad to order lace paper and other supplies to make some sample cards, which her brother added to the store's catalog.  They were only expecting $200 in advance orders and were shocked when $5,000 worth of her home made cards were pre-ordered. 

Since Esther couldn't make that many cards all by herself, she asked three of her best friends to help out.  In this way a  Valentine's Day Card assembly line was born.  Esther placed her first ad in the local paper in 1850.  The business grew and in a short time The New England Valentine Company was born.  Her cards were so greatly in demand, she quickly rented a small building for the business.

While other companies competed for sales to the public, none could compete with the value, taste, and style of Esther Howland. Her cards set the trend for years.  While she was not the first to create Valentine cards in America, she is credited with having popularized the lace Valentine and turning it into a major industry.

The business flourished despite her semi-retirement in 1866, when a recurring knee injury forced her to use a wheelchair.  When her father fell ill in 1881, she sold her business to George Whitney, in order to care for her father. George Whitney continued to pattern many of their cards in the Howland Style. Esther died in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1904 -- never having married.  The honor, The Mother of the American Valentine appeared in a newspaper article shortly after her death.

To see more wonderful postal stuff, visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory at Weekend Mailbox!