VALENTINES

Here are a few calorie free guilt free valentines from my collection.

A mechanical card in which the girls arm holding the large valentine moves up and down.

Another mechanical card in which the wheel at the bottom is turned and the kids ride up and down.

To see more valentines from years past click on "valentines" in the labels below

_____

Tattered and Lost volumes 1 to 7 available at Amazon.

A mailbox full of VALENTINE'S DAY FUN

I thought this Sepia Saturday I'd just fill your Valentine's mailbox with lots of cards, all from my collection. Many of them have been posted in the past on this blog, but most of you probably have never seen them or are aware of this site. Some I purposely purchased, others came inside scrapbooks I'd purchased. Enjoy!

Published by Rust Craft.

Published by The Wishing Well (not affiliated with the company now using the name in the UK)

Published by Hallmark.

Here we have Clarabell the Cow, a Disney character; she too is a mechanical valentine. She moves her head from side-to-side. Let's just say her head is hanging on my a thread and is now in a permanent brace. That's what happens when you get old. Arthritis in the neck.

This is obviously the Scarecrow and Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz though there are no markings indicating it was an official item affiliated with the movie.

Animated card. Sorry, just don't have time to do an animated version, but the fellow moves his arm up and down. Fickle fellow with twins? Published by Carrington Co., Chicaco, Ill.

Seriously, what is this guys problem? What is he looking for? A true love or a housekeeper? Such a romantic. Kick him in the keister and send him on his way.

From Gibson, probably in the late 1930s to 40s. Yes, yes...separate beds. Well at least they aren't sitting in separate bathtubs ala that stupid Cialis commercial.

When you hold the card below up to a light certain areas allow the light to shine through. In this case the street lamp, stars, and windows shine. 

Click on image to see it larger.

Click here to read a letter from a fella stuck in the Philippines in 1945 longing for the girl back home. You'll need to click on the pages to make them large enough to read.

Happy Valentine's Day and ephemera collecting!
_________________

Available at Amazon 
Tattered and Lost: The Quiet Art of Reading

CAKE SECRETS from Swans Down Cake Flour

I did a post on February 20, 2011 entitled "Swans Down Vintage Recipes" which was about an old cookbook that contained lovely illustrations of cakes. The book was put out by the company that made Swans Down Cake Flour. Today I feature another book.

The illustrations are not as delicate as the previous book, but they still have me wishing I was making these recipes and not just looking at them.

No information is given about the illustrator. The publishing date is 1926.















Swans Down Cake Flour was made by the Igleheart Brothers in Evansville, Indiana. The company was established in 1856. They were purchased by the Postum Cereal Company in 1926. Today Swans Down Cake Flour is sold by Reily Food Products.

Here is a newspaper ad from the Rome, Georgia Rome Tribune-Herald dated November 15, 1916.



I think it's interesting that this newspaper ad is on the same page with an ad for the Reily-Taylor Company, the company that would eventually own and market Swans Down.

You can see various photos of the original Igleheart Mill here.

(SOURCE: Williard Library - Knecht 2394)

I wonder if any of these Bob Hope Angel Food cake store displays exist anymore. That would be a real find!
________________________

New book available on Amazon.
Tattered and Lost: Forgotten Dolls

This one is for those who love dolls!

Snapshots from the last 100+ years of children and adults with dolls. Okay, there are a couple of dogs too.

Perfect stocking stuffer!