Artist - Frances Brundage

I am rather shy, dear, or I might say something quite nice to you today You may have my heart and all that's in it if you'll give me yours this very minute.

5 3/4" x 4 1/4"
dated 1928
Made in Germany

Frances Brundage (1854-1937) is, along with Charles Twelvetrees, an especially prolific valentine artist. The daughter of an artist, Rembrandt Lockwood, she learned to draw at an early age. While many of her postcards are signed, the majority of her work on valentines is not. 

May Love's sweet music make bright each day, And Love's fair blossoms bestrew thy way.

7 3/8" x 6 3/4"
circa 1900s-1910
Flat
for Raphael Tuck
Knitting Dutch Woman Walks Alongside a Duck

She began working for Raphael Tuck around 1900. It is her creations for Tuck that many collectors are especially interested in. Favorite subjects include children and ethnic or cultural figures. While she was well known for her depictions of African-Americans and the Dutch, to today's viewers these portrayals will largely seem stereotypical and caricatured. They were, however, in keeping with the attitudes of her day.

A Loving Greeting

5 3/8" x 5 1/2"
circa 1910s
Made in Germany
Embossed Detailing

Girl in Victorian clothing with prancing Cupid
Stand on Back

Around 1910 she began working for Samuel Gabriel and went on to work for a number of other companies (see bottom of entry for a list of those companies). In addition to valentines and postcards, she illustrated many books and various other items including calendars, paper and cloth dolls, advertisements and more.

To my Loved One ~ Oh you it is, this heart of mine So fondly greets, my Valentine.

7 3/8" x 6 3/4"
circa 1900s-1910
Package opens to reveal dimensional layers of flower scrap and a paper puff
for Raphael Tuck
Brundage made several cards with the same style 3-d effect as the package that opens on this card. However, at least one of these style cards is thought to be the work of Katharine Gassaway rather than Brundage (click to see our Katharine Gassaway page).

To identify her work, pay close attention to the faces of the figures. Her eyes tend to be large and expressive. Facial features can look wry and a bit mischievous, seeming to give knowing looks to viewers. Its this way her characters  engage the viewer, like they are sharing a secret, that compels so many to collect her art.

With Loads of Love.

6" x 6 5/8"
circa 1910s, 1920s

mechanical flat
Sam Gabriel Co

(trade mark G)

Some of her more demure figures, however, can be hard to distinguish from the work of Ellen Clapsaddle. Here is where paying attention to the artist-signed postcard images of both of these artists can be helpful. Specific characters or details used on signed postcards can often be found on unsigned die-cut or folder-style cards, helping to distinguish who proper credit belongs to.

To My Valentine - Dear Valentine My heart is big yet holds but one. You ask "who can it be?" I won't confess; - just try to guess. Just take a peep and see.

4 1/8" x 6 5/8"
circa 1920s
Mechanical
Valentine moves to reveal red heart
made in Germany

To My Valentine - I engrave my heart On this block of stone, And send it to you In exchange for your own.

4 1/8" x 6 5/8"
circa 1920s
Mechanical with easel stand
Arm with hammer and eyes move
made in Germany

My Valentine I'll STAKE my heart on you.

3 3/4" x 6 1/2"
dated 1928
Mechanical with Easel Stand
Butcher with T-Bone Steak on Butcher block
made in USA

Why don't you give me a ring?

3 3/4" x 6 1/2"
circa 1920s
Mechanical with Easel Stand
Girl with Candle-Stick Telephone
made in USA

Most of her pieces will date from the mid-1900s to the mid-1920s though some may be a little earlier or a little later. The cards are chromolithographs and are usually quite detailed and often enhanced with embossing.

To My Valentine 

12 5/8" x 7"
circa 1910s, 1920s
Embossed Detailing
Brundage created several of the jointed hanging figures
Pull the string to make the figure's limbs move

Brundage begun her professional career at the age of 17 and continued steadily late into her life producing a large volume of items for collectors and admirers to swoon over. Be sure to check back every now and then as we have a number of valentine cards by this fabulous artist yet to be photographed and cataloged so we can share them with you.

As often as I think of you My heart is all a flutter I'm looking for a little cook to get me bread and butter.

6 3/8" x 6 7/8"
circa 1910s, 1920s
Embossed Detailing
These two figures can also be seen in the folder-style card below

To My Valentine ~ Let's meet to-night-just you and I In a quiet spot where none can see, And I'll tell you the secret why - Your Valentine I want to be.

4" x 4" (8" x 4" opened)
circa 1910s, 1920s
Made in Germany
Embossed Detailing

A surprise for you my Valentine

5" x 5 5/8"
circa 1920s, poss earlier
flat, die-cut card

hand and foot missing on figure on the right
made in Saxony

To My Valentine - Whether you love me or not, The daisy is sure to tell; But this is the honest truth; I love you very well.

4 1/8" x 6 3/8"
circa 1920s
Mechanical
Arm pulling petal and eyes move
made in Germany

To My Valentine - There's nothing half so sweet in life As on a pie to dine; Unless it be to kiss you dear, My little Valentine.

4 1/8" x 6 1/2"
circa 1920s
Mechanical
Both arms and right eye move - our copy is missing both hands
made in Germany

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Companies that Brundage worked for:

• Raphael Tuck
• Sam Gabriel
• Saalfied
• Stetcher
• DeWolfe
• Fisk and Co
• Fred A Stokes
• Charles E Graham and Co
• E P Dutton/Ernest Nister
• Hayes Co