People like to challenge me with vintage hankies. I did a post on them with challenge #35. I often rummage through the old hankies at estate sales. I love the variety of designs and really love those that are kid oriented. When pulling out my Valentine decorations, I realize I have a nice little collection of Valentine themed ones. Time to share. I've added a few of my favorite Valentines to this post as well.
I like the tidy rows of hearts as a border on this hankie.
The heart spins about on this one and the windows reveal the message " over you my dear".
For the life of me I can't decipher the message on this hankie. I see Hello Valentine, but beyond that I can't figure it out. Blogland?
This is the only hankie that is not a square.
The couple is on a cardboard handle and lean into kiss one another. " Elves and fairies will dance with glee, If you my Valentine will be." This card is older.
A fun little collection. I wish I could figure out a great way to display hankies (beyond framing, pillows or a quilt). They are little works of art for sure. If you have an idea for a future collection challenge, leave me a comment and finish the sentence "Show me your collection of ___".
Such a fun collection and I really like how you've paired them with special Valentines for this post.
Posted by: Musings from Kim K. | February 03, 2015 at 06:05 AM
Sweet collection! I love handkerchiefs, too, and, like you, wish there were more ways to display them. They make a great collectible since they take up so little space. As for the message on the one, I am reading it as My Valentine. M-(swirl, swirl, Bow, swirl, swirl)-Y on one side, and Vale-(swirl, swirl, Bow, swirl, swirl)-ntine on the other.
Posted by: Tammy | February 03, 2015 at 06:51 AM
Fold the script valentine hankie in quarters to the 1st letter clearly written. My mother's day hankies are like this valentine's day hankie and had to be folded to read the word's.
Your valentines are quite fun and cute too. :)
Posted by: Paula | February 03, 2015 at 06:54 AM
Genius Paula! I hope you post a photo of the folded hankie so we can see what it says...
Adorable hankies and Valentines - which reminds me I need to get mine out!
Posted by: Maureen | February 03, 2015 at 08:18 AM
They are adorable, and I love your Valentines too! I love vintage Valentines they remind me of my childhood!
Maybe you could hang your hankies on a cord with the mini clothespins and make a bunting of sorts? Just an idea! Have a great week! karen...
Posted by: karen | February 03, 2015 at 08:19 AM
Love this collection! Adorable hankies and I also see 'My Valentine' on that one hankie!
Posted by: Linda @ A La Carte | February 03, 2015 at 08:21 AM
That rowboat Valentine is the cutest thing ever! I have a huge collection myself, but have never seen one that like! Adorable!
Posted by: JoyceG | February 03, 2015 at 08:45 AM
I agree with My Valentine. I also see a lot of swirls, like Tammy said. But I like Paula's idea and would love to see a picture if that works!
Posted by: Melanie | February 03, 2015 at 09:01 AM
Darling hankies and I love the Valentines you used to display them with! 💖💕 I didn't get all my hankies out since I wasn't sure how to display all of them. Love the circle one with the hearts all around it!
Posted by: Doreen | February 03, 2015 at 10:27 AM
Oh, you know I adore this collection! I have never, ever, seen a round hankie before. I don't know how you do it but you find the most interesting things.
Posted by: Kathy | February 03, 2015 at 12:01 PM
It's a puzzle hanky! here's a few examples of how to fold:
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/511651207641120225/
Posted by: katyo | February 03, 2015 at 01:41 PM
A cute way to display hankies is to pin them (clothespins that is) to a clothesline and hang them like a banner. Easy to take down when you're tired of them and they are still as good as new! You can also hang them this way over a window as a valance.
Posted by: Janet Johnson | February 03, 2015 at 03:52 PM
Great collection of hankies and valentines! I have seen hankies displayed in a spoon rack, they just tucked the folded corner into the spoon slot. It was super cute!
Posted by: Marci | February 03, 2015 at 05:29 PM
Valentine's hankies are the only ones I let myself collect. Otherwise things would get way more out of control around here than normal. Do you know how easy it is to find hankies?!
Erica
Posted by: Erica | February 04, 2015 at 04:22 AM
So sweet! Love the last valentine too-- the boat. Too cool! Read the post above about the puzzle hanky. New to me too. Interesting!
Posted by: Diane | February 04, 2015 at 06:08 PM
The hanky you can't figure out is a called a puzzle or secret message hanky. Folded properly it will reveal its message and create a picture.
Here is a link to information about them on my blog:
http://thehankydresslady.blogspot.com/2014/02/vintage-valentine-puzzle-handkerchiefs.html
Posted by: The Hanky Dress Lady | July 29, 2015 at 12:43 PM