Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - February 12, 1984
By Amy Mason
Vigo County Historical Society

Gold, silver decorate valentines

This rare antique lace-paper is over 100 years old.

It is a large valentine, 10 inches by 7 3/4 inches composed of four layers of materials: lace-paper backgrounds; embossed paper scenes, decorated with silver or gold; cameo-like figures of cupids or women and men in Roman or 17th century court costumes; and brightly colored "scraps" of flowers, fruit, leaves and gilded musical instruments.

Viewed from the front the valentine has a lace-paper border, edged with gold scallops, and an inner border of hand-painted flowers, fruit, and leaves.

In the center is a scene made of silver embossed paper. Through an opening in the columns and palm trees, filled with transparent silk gauze, another scene is visible. Above the scene is a cluster of stiffened, pleated net, centered with tinsel and a spray of flowers, leaves, and artificial berries. Below the scene are two velvet and cambric pansies.

The "fair lady" who was the recipient of this elaborate valentine had to lift up three layers before she could read the hidden love note "from your valentine." Was she expecting a long, romantic love poem?

Finally she found the message. There, resting on a white satin background, is a fancy, black card, bordered in gold and white. It is decorated with clusters of bright flowers and centered with these words in gold and white: LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP.

Who made this valentine? When and where was it made? With a hand lens, the layers are carefully examined.

Under one of the large pansies is a small diamond-shaped English registry mark. The codes says it was made in the period from 1842 to 1868. The letters and numbers reveal the date -- July 5, 1856. On the hems of two dresses are found tiny, embossed letters -- WINDSOR. John Windsor and Sons, Clerkenwell, was one of the outstanding manufacturers of greeting cards in England, 1840 - 1870s. They made many beautiful valentines.

The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley. 1411 is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday.