Lot of 16 vintage Valentine's Day cards spanning 1899 to the 1950s — die-cuts, mechanicals, postcards, and one embossed card. Most are marked Made in U.S.A.
THE EARLY PIECES (1899-1920): - German "Postkarte" with Dutch boy and tulips ("Your heart mit my heart would be very fine...") — mailed from Witten, Germany, November 29, 1899, with the 5pf Reichspost stamp still on it. The oldest piece in the lot. - "I'll leave my happy home for you" romance postcard — mailed from Seneca Falls, NY, February 15, 1910, with 1-cent Franklin stamp and handwritten message. - Mechanical peek-a-boo girl ("I'll never look at you again unless you say you're mine! A little PEEKING doesn't count") — back inscribed "Michele H. Herring 1906." NOTE: this card has a torn edge; the torn piece is included with the card. - "Guess what's in it!" fold-out girl with gift — back marked "Series No. 267 Valentine Cut Outs 12 designs" and inscribed "To Veronica From Catherine Feb 14, 1920." - "To My Valentine" card inscribed "2/14/20" from Martha Kolar. - Large "Hearty Greetings" Gibson-girl valentine with verse. - Fan-shaped die-cut of two children with a birdcage. - "A Token of Affection" — two little girls. - Embossed religious card — butterfly, boy with lily, verse from Luke 21:34. The only embossed card in the lot.
MID-CENTURY DIE-CUTS (1930s-50s), most marked Made in U.S.A.: - Cowboy on rocking horse ("No Use Bucking It Valentine You're My Hobby") — marked 2/5-336. - Baseball boy ("You're the Best Catch I ever made my Valentine," Tiny Tots). - Marching girl ("I'm Marching Your Way My Valentine"). - Bear cub ("'Tis True Valentine I'm Right in Step With You"). - Kitten ("Darn It! Be Mine!") — marked A-MERI-CARD 115. - Girl with heart guitar ("Be Mine! You Make My Heart Zing!"). - Puppy in hot air balloon ("I've Been Up in the Air Since I Met You My Valentine").
Several cards have movable/mechanical parts (see photos). Backs carry period inscriptions ("To Gary from Johnnie," "To Teacher From Tom Cook," "From Milton Spencer," "To Lucy Clay From R.S.").
CONDITION: Good antique condition overall with age-appropriate wear. The mechanical peek-a-boo card has a torn edge (torn piece included, as shown). Light edge wear and toning on others consistent with age. Please review all photos — fronts and backs shown.
A great lot for Valentine collectors, paper ephemera lovers, or junk journals.
