Friday, October 16, 2009
CHLOE PRESTON - Rare Large Valentine
We can't yet be 100% positive, but we are reasonably convinced that this is the work of Chloe Preston (b 1887 - d 1969). While the English artist is best known for her Chunkies and Peek-A-Boo characters, she also created many valentines dating largely to the 1910s or so (WWI era). It is difficult to be very precise when discussing her valentines as they are not signed by her, making identification a challenge.
Her valentine figures tend to have large round eyes with many lashes, like these do. She also did considerable work incorporating red honeycomb or paper-puff on free-standing cards.
This one features a fireman theme, with a house ablaze and girl to be rescued. Crows fly above the red shingled roof. One of the birds is holding a heart in its beak. The fire fighters wear black helmets with red hearts adorning the front. While one raises a ladder to the window, the other mans a leaky hose. Flowerpots fall from the balcony as an unused blue bucket sits below. It is a very active scene.
Despite the obvious damage (mainly to the upper bit of paper-puff), the beauty of this card remains. The detailing is fabulous, with much care paid not just to the figures, but to their surroundings as well.
The card stands 9 1/2" tall, 7" wide and about 4" deep. Its only marking notes that it was made in Germany. A faucet and note stand in the lower bit of paper-puff. The message on the note reads:
To my Valentine
This little card
I send to you
To tell you I
Continue true.
The flames are die-cut with yellow backing paper, adding a lovely glow to them as light peeks through.
Even if we were to find this was not the work of Ms. Preston, it was clearly created by a talented artist. This has become one of my favorites in my collection - now if only I could get a bit more repair done to that paper-puff.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Victorian and Other Dimensional or Pull-Out Valentines
To My Valentine.
5 3/4" x 3" x 2"
made in Germany
made in Germany
with unusual anchor and bird's nest detail
To my Valentine
2 1/4" x 4 1/4"
circa 1910s-1920s
made in Germany
circa 1910s-1920s
made in Germany
To My Valentine
3 1/8" x 3 3/4"
circa 1910s-1920s
made in GERMANY
circa 1910s-1920s
made in GERMANY
Loving Thoughts ...To My Sweetheart
2 3/4" x 4 5/8"
circa 1910s-1920s
made in Germany
circa 1910s-1920s
made in Germany
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Charles Twelvetrees - Man of Mystery!
If you're scared of my little pal How do you expect to be my gal?
attributed to Charles Twelvetrees
features rosy cheeked child and dog winking
Made in USA
Everything will be quite DUCKY, And I'll consider myself so LUCKY If you will be - My Valentine!
7 3/4" x 4 3/4"
CT mark indicating
artist is Charles Twelvetrees
with paper puff/honeycomb
Made in USA
no text
8" x 4 1/4"
CT mark indicating
artist is Charles Twelvetrees
This set of quinPUPlets
On your doorstep I'm parking
Better tell them you're mine
Or you'll hear plenty BARKING!
Be my Valentine
Signed CT
Child and Basket of Puppies
8" x 4 3/4"
circa 1940s
made in USA
To my Valentine
Tell me that you love me true `
And I'll turn somersaults for you.
5 1/4" x 4" (closed)
dated 1940
made in USA
no artist mark
attributed to C Twelvetrees
Lov-O-Gram series
Charles Twelvetrees is a somewhat elusive character. There is a Charles R. (b. 1888) and a Charles H. who were father and son. They may have worked together or may not. There are cards signed with a CT mark, others that say C Twelvetrees, CH Twelvetrees, or just C. There are also many to be found that are unsigned. Earlier images (like the postcards) could be the work of the elder with the magazine illustrations and later cards being the work of Charles R.
Whoever the man behind the name may be, Twelvetrees excelled in images of chubby cheeked children. You'll also notice his distinctive little bulldogs as a repeated theme. He did many animal images in addition to the dogs, with them appearing sometimes in wonderfully detailed spats. There are many apparent series to look for, making for some fun hunting for collectors!
In April of 1948, Twelvetrees died of natural causes in his bathtub in a New York City hotel where he appears to have resided. The New York Times carried an obituary that listed no survivors, so despite his success with images of children, he may not have had any of his own.
Companies Twelvetrees is known to have worked for:
- S. Bergman
- Ullman Mnaufacturing Co
- National Art Co
- Edward Gross Co
- The Home Magazine/Tower Publications
- Pictorial Review
- New York Herald
- Alpha Publications
- Reinthal & Newman
- F. A. Stokes
- Raphael Tuck
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Art Deco Style - Cards of the 1920s and 1930s
Valentine Greetings to my True Chum ~
Here is a kiss for you, sweet miss That is, if you'll be mine! So let me hear these words so dear - I'll be your Valentine.
2 7/8" x 3 7/8"
dated 1934
Valentine Mine
You are so very charming,
I'd like to be your Beau
My heart-beats are alarming
Please do not answer 'No.'
3 1/2" x 4 1/2"
dated 1933
with embossed detailing
You must be my valentine 'cause
Father likes you, 'n'
Mother likes you, 'n'
I so-I-like you, 'n'
That makes it YOU-nanimous!
4" x 5"
copyright dated 1921
made by P. F. Volland
#7418
I extend to you a hearty Invitation to my party; 'Twill be a love feast for us three ~ For you, For cupid and for me.
3 1/2" x 5 3/4"
6 3/4" x 5 3/4" (opened)
made in the USA
circa 1930s
Flowers, like in the bouquet above, were often drawn in swirled circles. Also widely seen was gold detailing, and figures, often very thin, with curling hair and billowing skirts. Click here to browse Art Deco cards for sale in our store.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Lollipop Cards - E Rosen Company
I'm signalling you to stop To look and listen too, So that when you get this pop You'll know that I love you.
5" x 6"
made by E. Rosen Co of Providence, RI.
Click on the thumbnail to see a super-size image.
Please take my heart that goes ker-flop With this delicious Candy Pop
5" x 6"
1930s
Baby with Rosy Cheeks sits in a Wagon
by E Rosen Co of Providence Rhode Island
Click on the thumbnail to see a super-size image.
Ay Tank Ay Go Home! by Jiminy if you won't Be My Walentine!
5" x 6"
dated 1936
Caricature of Swedish Farmer
by E Rosen Co of Providence Rhode Island
Click on the thumbnail to see a super-size image.
E Rosen Company (who also uses the name School House Candy) created a wide variety of pictorial backers for their suckers. There are really fabulous Halloween ones to look for as well as those for Valentine's Day.
Valentine Day is coming soon, I'll be waiting by the Moon, Let me be your big dandy. I'll bring little sticks of candy Be Mine!
3 3/4" x 4 7/8"
circa 1940s/1950s
ROSEN LOLLIPOP HOLDER
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