BUYERS GUIDE


century. Again, the German lithograph cards are in general the most prized by today’s collectors. In London, Raphael Tuck, with its Royal Warrant of Appointment from Queen Victoria herself, was perhaps the most esteemed paper company in turn-of-the- century England, producing greeting cards, paper dolls and toys and children’s books. Tuck’s most successful Valentines are its ‘marionette’ cards, which feature paper dolls with arms and legs that move, and their ‘hidden honeycomb’ cards with 3-D hearts that open up like a honeycomb when the card is unfolded. These cards remain amongst some of the most coveted by collectors. ..


No discussion of Valentine Cards would be complete without mention of what was referred to as the ‘Penny Dreadfuls’, which first appeared in the 1890s. Unlike the typical sweet and romantic card, these were bitterly cutting Valentines. Whatever peculiarity, trait or handicap someone had, or was impugned to have, was made fun of with these Valentines. The homely man or woman, the spinster, the overweight individual, the flirt, or the dishonest butcher with a fat thumb, might well have received a Penny Dreadful on Valentine’s Day. Such cards were often delivered by some surreptitious manner to the unfortunate precipitant’s home. The McLoughlin Brothers, which eventually became a giant U.S. publishing company, was one of the most prolific publishers of these early paper novelties. These Penny Dreadfuls were not the kind of mementos one treasured and kept. After all, who would expect a love-strict maiden to save for posterity, a card that labelled her a withering flower? Because these cards were not usually saved, they are rare and very collectable.


While the shops are filled to the rafters with an astonishing supply of cards proclaiming endless protestations of love, why not go for the vintage option and send something gloriously romantic and unique to the one your love.


If you’re lucky enough to love or be loved then don’t forget to send that card… and for those still looking…I hope you receive a declaration of love from a secret admirer. Happy Valentine’s Day!


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