Collecting Vintage Valentine's Day and Heart Ladies Handkerchiefs Hankies

By: Luanne Reilly Oda

I love all kinds of vintage linens and handkerchiefs, but I am unable to collect all I like. Since I like hearts better than anything I was drawn to collect pretty Valentines Hankies. Handkerchiefs are still an affordable collectible, and they do not take up an awful lot of room!

History of Valentine’s Day Hankies

Before the advent of what we today know as Valemtine cards, lace handkerchiefs were often given as a token of your love. It has been told that in Medievel times that the knights going off to battle would carry with them a hankie given to them by the woman they loved.

Sailors on voyages to distant foreign lands would send home to their loved ones pretty silk squares or handkerchiefs emroidered with hearts, love knots and cupids. Their special lady would often use these as a small purse and they became known as bundle Valentines.

Lace has long been associated with Valentines Day as the hankies often had lace trim. In Victorian times a lady would draw her handkerchief across her cheek to say I love you. Twisting her hankie in her right hand signified that she loved another. Holding the hankie over her shoulder or dropping it in the path meant follow me.

In your seach you will find:
Printed Valentine hankies, many just in red and white, others more colorful, with a variety of hearts, cupids, angels, romantic couples, children, animals, and even hidden messages.

A variety of embroidered styles, I am partial to the little cupids, and of course lace hankies, often used for the wedding day.

If you are lucky you might find a designer hankies. Some of the designers that made hankies in the 1950’s and 1960’s were

 Tammis Keefe
 Pat Prichard
 Jeanne Miller
 Frederique
 Brigitta Ajnefors
 Carl Tait
 Lori King
 Monique
 Faith Austin
 Kit Ann
 Jean Sibo
 Ann McGann

Although the valentine handkerchiefs are especially nice to have in February, they will make a romantic display anytime of the year. Enjoy your collecting!

Article Source: https://www.collectibles-articles.com

www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/20584 www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/index.cfm/fa/subcategories.main/parentcat/19424/subcatid/44962

Related Items on eBay:

Vtg Handkerchief Hanky Valentines Heart Cupid Scalloped Edge 13” Red White
$8.97

Vintage Hankie BE MINE VALENTINE Sentiment Hearts Boy Girl Smooches 9" X 9 1/2"
$36.00

Vintage To My Valentine Hanky Red Hearts Valentine’s Day Hankie
$19.99

Vtg. 1960's Handkerchief 12” Hankie Hearts Red White Gold Valentine Scalloped
$9.60

Vintage Floral Lace Handkerchiefs 12Pc Cotton Embroidery Wedding Gift Hankie Set
$15.99

Vintage Red & White Heart Print Handkerchief Scalloped Edges Romantic Cotton bow
$25.89

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