Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - February 10, 1985
By Dorothy W. Jerse
Vigo County Historical Society

'Tis season for sentimentality

This season of hearts and flowers brings visitors to the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., to view the displays of sentimental greetings from the past.

One of these, a gift to the Vigo County Historical Society from Bertha Retz Jakes in 1978 and the featured historical treasure for the week, is in the form of a heart shaped wreath of flowers accented with delicate butterflies. The white heart in the center bears the words "My Heart's Message." The heart opens to the right (not the usual left) revealing the greeting:

"Then would Joy for ever bless
Thee with perfect happiness!"

This valentine was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons, Ltd., London, Paris and New York, a firm which excelled in good design and quality products. The words "Publisher to her Majesty the Queen" puts the card in the time frame of 1893 to 1901. After Queen Victoria's death in 1901, the wording was changed to "The Majesties the King and Queen" referring to the reign of Edward VII and Alexandra.

At that time many publishers had their printing done in Germany where the German lithography process was less expensive than the stone process in use in England. This was the case for this greeting, which reads "Designed at the studio in England and printed at the Fine Art Works in Saxony."

The founder of the company, Raphael Tuck, emigrated from Germany to England in 1865 to escape the unsettled times caused by the Prussian conflict first with Denmark and then with Austria. With the help of his wife and three sons, he expanded his business rapidly. They hired many noted artists of that day and they also sponsored contests for new designs. This card was one of Tuck's Artist Series."

The building which housed the old records and plates was destroyed during the bombing of London in 1940. Fortunately the lovely old Tuck greetings with their messages of love and friendship are preserved in the collections of museums and private individuals.

The museum is open form 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday. Admission is free.