Circa: 1890 Country of Origin: United States Manufacturer: Victorian Era American Production
A pair of exquisite Victorian layered paper lace Valentines. The small card is 3-5/8 by 2-3/4 inches. An embossed pale green and white die-cut layer is the base with a tiny litho print of a woman standing in an arch in the center. Framing the picture and seeming to float above the card is a delicate cut paper lace overlay with two folded hinges hidden below to raise the lace above the scene. The card opens up to reveal a romantic verse about a kiss inside. The valentine is unsigned and unmarked.
The larger card measures 6 by 4 inches. On the front is a diecut shabby rose scrap centered over a paper lace overlay depicting dancing nymphs or forest fairies. An embossed gold and white cupid is above the rose (hidden in the pictures by the rose scrap, but it extends on a folded tab to show the cupid). Below the lace overlay is the front of the card, an elaborately framed Tennyson poem. At the back side corner is a stamped mark, W over 2-1/2, no other markings. The card is unsigned. Very slight damage to the delicate lace overlay and some age soiling or discoloration on the back.
