Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Raphael Tuck and Sons - Art Publishers to Their Majesties the King and Queen


To My Valentine
3 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Series No 221

When Love is Young
divided back
made in England
RAPHAEL TUCK and SONS

To My Valentine
I wonder what me fiancee would say if she saw me now in this compromising position
3 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Postmark is hard to discern, appears to be 1907
undivided back
made in England
RAPHAEL TUCK and SONS
vintage valentine
My Valentine
3" x 5"
circa 1920s
made in SAXONY
RAPHAEL TUCK and SONS


 Tuck is one of the most recognized names in postcard publishing.  They produced a wide variety of cards and published an enormous amount of valentines.  The company began sometime in the late 1800s, founded by Raphael Tuck.  Designing was done in their London offices, while the cards were printed in Germany as were many of the cards produced prior to WWII.


The company was know as Raphael Tuck and Co until 1882 when it was renamed as Raphael Tuck and Sons.  The company is renowned both for the quality of its printing and the high caliber of artists they employed.  Despite this, they were very prolific, with many cards readily available due to the quantities printed. Prices for collectors can vary enormously because of this, with values depending on the particulars of the individual card and its condition.


For valentine lovers, an artist of particular note who created for Tuck is Frances Brundage.  Her large size cards with three-dimensional features are especially worth seeking out.  Our Museum has some of these cards that will soon be added to the images here.


sources:
Robert Brenner Valentine Treasury - A Century of Valentine Cards
Marian Klamkin Picture Postcards
Barbara Johnson, Ph. D. Valentines - A Collector's guide

Monday, June 18, 2007

Time for Love - Valentine Clocks and Watches!

HIGH TIME you were my Valentine Don't be ALARMED I just want to be the BIG NOISE with you.

3" x 4"
circa 1930s, 1940s
Personified Alarm Clock
Flat
marked: made in USA

A TIMELY hint ~ WATCH OUT I'm RIGHT ON HAND to be your Valentine

4 5/8" x 3 7/8"
circa 1930s, 1940s
flat
pocket watch

It's TIME you were my Valentine. WATCH you say?
circa 1940s
alarm clock and wrist watch

vintage valentine
It's HIGH TIME to be my Valentine SAY YES
3" x 4 1/2"
circa 1930s/1940s
made in USA

with cupid

vintage valentine
For You - Here's a Valentine with PUNCH!
I want you for my HONEY-BUNCH!
3 1/4" x 4 1/4" (3 1/4" x 7 1/4" open)
circa 1930s/1940s
made in USA
french-fold

with time punch clock

vintage valentine

Watch out! It's Valentine time! And I sure go for you!
3" x 4"
circa 1950s-1960s

alarm clock

Lived-in Love: Household Items and Themes

This line of mine Will tell you true How very much I think of you My Valentine

3 1/2" x 3 7/8"
dated 1935
Flat
marked: made in USA


You're the CREAM in my COFFEE ~ Be My Valentine

4 1/4" x 3 3/8" (4 1/4" x 6 1/2" opened)
circa 1930s
single fold


You've SWEPT me off my Feet ~ Don't BRUSH me aside My Valentine.

4 3/8" x 3 1/4" (8 5/8" x 3 1/4" opened)
circa 1930s
Shaped Single Fold
AIRING that good old greeting - Be My Valentine!

3 7/8" x 3"
circa 1930s
cleaning rug
flat

Stick CLOTHES by and be my Valentine.

3 3/8" x 4 3/8" (3 3/8" x 8 3/4" open)
circa 1930s
copper wash pot


Could you arRANGE to be my Valentine?
circa 1940s

antique stove
vintage valentine ironing board
I've got a PRESSING question For you, Dear Valentine ~ I like you very much, and so - I want you to be mine!
5 5/8" x 4 1/8" (flat)
circa 1940s

ironing on ironing board
by A-Meri-Card
#229

vintage valentine

What a CUP-LE we would make
if you would spoon with me.
3 1/4" x 4 1/4" (3 1/4" x 8 1/2" opened)
circa 1930s/1940s

cup


My Life would be a VACUUM without you Valentine
3 7/8" x 3"
made in USA

vacuuming with canister-style vacuum

 This should SWEEP you off your feet.

3" x 3"
dated 1935

figure with broom

Hope I'm SLIPPIN' in the right direction - Valentine. SLIDIN' your way in a hurry Please don't give me cause to worry!

3 1/4" x 4 1/4"
circa 1940s
made in USA
Flat

More Household Items: 


Sunday, June 10, 2007

The Mile High Club - Airplanes!

To my Valentine.

4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
dated 1934
Mechanical Card
To One I Love.

3 1/2" x 4"
dated 1930
Flat
marked:Printed in Germany 
To One I Love.

3 1/2" x 4"
circa 1930s
Flat
marked:  Printed in Germany

To My Valentine Messenger of Love.

2 3/4" x 4 5/8"
circa 1930s
mechanical flat with spinner
Images from the spinner are seen in 2 windows


Let's TAKE OFF Valentine.
notice the hammer and sickle on the nose of the plane
circa 1960s
vintage valentine card

vintage valentine card
Be my Valentine
I've got three stowaways aboard;
Two are as plain as day ~
And in my ever loving heart
YOU'RE ALWAYS stowed away.
9 3/4" x 8 3/8"
circa 1930s/1940s
made in CANADA


vintage valentine card with airplane

To My Sweetheart!
3 5/8" x 4"
made in GERMANY

Plane dropping roses over the Capitol Building
Plane as ABC 4 U.
made in USA
Say you'll be my Valentine and I'll be FLYING HIGH!

  circa 1940s

Bowled Over by Bowling Valentines!

vintage valentine bowling pin


Hi! I'm BOWLED over by you VALENTINE!

3 5/8" x 2"
made in USA
circa 1960s

vintage valentine bowling

You've got me BOWLED OVER Valentine

4" x 5"
circa 1920s/1930s
made in USA

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Shout it from the HOUSE-TOP! Homes

To my Valentine I've got a MORTGAGE on you, too!
2 5/8" x 3 7/8"
1930s, 1940s
Flat
made in USA


My Valentine HOUSE chances of being mine?

4 3/8" x 8 1/2" flat
circa 1930s
House with Picket Fence
Standing Fold-Out


I hope you're home 

Be my Valentine!  
3 1/2" x 4 1/8"
circa 1920s/1930s
made in USA

vintage valentine
To My Valentine
Here's my Heart, - bright, red and new
And meant for no one else but you;
Take it please - and since it's mine,
You then will be My Valentine.
3 1/4" x 4 1/2" (6 5/8" x 4 1/2" unfolded)
dated 1921
made in USA
vintage valentine
Here's the Only Heart I own, And it's Just for you Alone
3 1/8" x 5 1/4"
circa 1920s/1930s
made in USA

vintage valentine

I'll shout it from the House-Tops -
Be My Valentine!
5" x 3 5/8"
circa 1930s/1940s
made in USA

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Love Calls - Telephones

vintage valentine loveland telephone book


vintage valentine loveland telephone book

Telephone Directory Feb. 14th Issue
Loveland-Heart-District....
I have your number - Will it do me any good?

3 1/4" x 4 3/8" (4 3/8" x 6 1/2" opened)
circa 1930s/1940s


vintage valentine loveland telephone book


vintage valentine loveland telephone book

This is not a PHONEY LINE
I want you for my Valentine!

5 5/8" x 7 5/8"
dated 1939
made by A-MERI-CARD

Love in Orbit - Space, Rockets, Astronauts and Aliens

There's SPACE in my heart for you Be my Valentine
2 1/8" x 5 7/8"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Flat
made in USA
marked: 4/5 755/13



You're A-OK with me, Valentine
circa 1960s/1970s
marked v 745-2

Let's JET OFF valentine. You're OUT OF THIS WORLD.
circa 1940s

vintage valentine rocket
I Want to be the First to Claim your Heart
2 3/8" x 5"
circa 1960s
made in USA

vintage valentine rocket
I'm MOONING over You
4 3/8" x 2 3/4"
circa 1950s/1960s
made in USA

vintage valentine rocket
You send me Valentine
5 1/2" x 2 1/2"
circa 1940s/1950s
made in USA

vintage valentine astronaut

Valentine
Is there SPACE in your heart for me?
2 1/2" x 4 7/8"
circa 1930s/1940s
made in USA

vintage valentine rocket
Hi there, Valentine!
2 5/8" x 4 3/4"
circa 1950s-1960s
made by Gibson

vintage valentine
Want to be my SPACE MATE?
2 3/4" x 4 3/4"
circa 1950s/1960s
made by GIBSON

vintage valentine
Valentine
I fell for you.
2 1/2" x 5"
circa 1930s/1940s
made in USA

vintage valentine space alien
Come down to earth and be My Valentine.
4 3/4" x 2 1/4"
circa 1950s

Valentine I Moon 4 U.
made in USA
Valentine Ho Let's go!  I M 4 U.
caped figure rides rocket
made in USA

Whoosh you'd love me!

circa 1950s/1960s

Whee-e should be Valentines.  You're out of this world.
Bears ride a rocket
circa 1950s/1960s
made in USA-