1860’s Esther Howland Embossed & Gilded Paper Lace Valentine H/15 - image 1 of 12
1860’s Esther Howland Embossed & Gilded Paper Lace Valentine H/15 - image 2 of 12
1860’s Esther Howland Embossed & Gilded Paper Lace Valentine H/15 - image 3 of 12

Forget Me Not Antiques

1860’s Esther Howland Embossed & Gilded Paper Lace Valentine H/15

$45

Add to Cart
Email Shop Owner
Alert 2 other shoppers are interested in this item
Sentimental memorabilia, books, dolls, sewing heirlooms & holiday treasures from the 1850's-1950's
Forget Me Not Antiques specializes in the mementoes of women and children from the Victorian and Edwardian eras
This Shop is rated Platinum - 1,000 or more sales Trusted Platinum Seller since 2020

Affiliations


United Federation of Doll Clubs Logo


Esther Howland is known as the mother of the American valentine. In Quincy Massachusetts in the 1850’s after seeing beautiful English valentines, Esther hired local young women to assemble embossed paper lace folders, colored papers, Dresden decorations, scraps and small printed messages into the first mass produced American valentines. The Howland valentines are marked with a red “H” on a back corner. They have become quite rare outside of collections and are difficult to find these days.

This Howland valentine is marked with a red H over 15 on the back upper left-hand corner.
It is a small, lovely example measuring just 3” x 3 ¾”. It is made from an embossed paper lace folder with gilded berries and vines that surround birds and cherubs. The valentine is decorated with a tiny wreath scrap and backed with coated paper wafers of bright green and orange. Inside, there is a paper message that reads:

May we now the bliss improve,
May the power of purest love
With all its sweetest band unite.
Whil’st all to love and joy invite.

The name “Freddie” is penciled on the back.

I think a section of lace may be missing on the right edge of the valentine. Please examine the pictures and feel free to email me if you have any questions.

While you are here do enjoy the other valentine related items I have available for sale at this time. Thank you for visiting my shop today.
Item id: RL2461
Item type: Vintage