howeenterprise.com
Monday, February 8, 2016
Page #10
Learn about antiques and collectibles with Dr. Georgia Caraway In the late 18th century, “The Young Man’s Valentine Writer” was published in England containing hundreds of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own verse. By the early 1800s, printers had already begun producing a limited number of cards with verses Each year, my Valentine seeks out and sketches. A reduced postal rate vintage Valentine cards as well as a in the next century made it easier to new Valentine card to give to me. mail valentines. My vintage collection has been growing and although I love the The 100-year old art of cutting messages in the new cards, it is the paper valentines with scissors, old cards that hold the most joy for scherenschnitte, was brought to me. America by the Germans colonizing Pennsylvania. These The name Valentine comes from folk art valentines are highly sought Saint Valentine who in A.D. 270 by collectors. At the turn of the ignored Emperor Claudius’s edict 20th century, color and lace forbidding marriage. (Claudius felt decorations, were popular as were that married men made poor mechanicals, valentine postcards, soldiers since they were loath to Kewpies, Kate Greenaway leave their families for battle). characters, and designs by other Valentine invited young lovers to artists. By the 1920s, folded come to him in secret, where he valentines in envelopes were the joined them in the sacrament of trend. In the 1930s, 1940s, and matrimony. History claims that 1950s, packages of valentines and Claudius had this “friend of lovers” greeting cards were widely imprisoned and sentenced to death. exchanged among school children. It is said that he fell in love with the Except for Christmas, Americans jailer’s daughter and he signed a exchange more cards on Valentines farewell message to her “From Day than any other holiday. Your Valentine.” Come into Howe Mercantile and Traditionally, mid-February was a find VINTAGE cards for your Roman time to meet and court special Valentine. Faithful readers, prospective mates, so Roman young please indulge me while I use this men instituted the custom of space to send my love to my offering women they admired and Special Valentine. wished to court handwritten greetings of affection on February Dr. Georgia Caraway, former 14. The cards took on the name of director of the Denton County Saint Valentine. Museums for 14 years, and her friends opened the Howe Charles, duke of Orleans, sent the Mercantile at 107 East Haning. earliest known card in 1415 to his Store hours are Thursday through wife while he was a prisoner in the Saturday noon until 8 p.m. She has Tower of London. As time passed, written four Denton history books Cupid, the naked cherub armed and has finished a 5th history about with arrows dipped in love potion, the North Texas State Fair and became a popular valentine image. Rodeo that will be published in He is associated with the holiday August. She hopes her next book because in Roman mythology he is will be the history of Howe. the son of Venus, goddess of love PLEASE SHOP LOCALLY. We and beauty. can show you Howe!
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