Valentine Collectibles
These Tokens of Love are Sentimental Favorites with Collectors
In addition to cards, collectible Valentine's Day trinkets include fans, party décor and candy boxes.
While cards and postcards are the most common Valentine’s Day collectors look for candy boxes, party décor, and fans. Here are some popular Valentine’s Day collectibles along with some current values as found on eBay.
Fans
Both practical and aesthetic, ladies’ fans were not only a fashion accessory, but a means of communication. The language of fans was very specific, specific movements by a lady would convey specific feelings to a certain gentleman. If a woman dropped her fan, it was a signal that she was interested in the man who would pick it up. Rapid fanning indicated great interest, but if she rested it on her lips, she was indicating lack of trust.
Flirtatious as they were, fans were popular Valentine’s Day gifts, and could be luxurious or inexpensive. They could be made or silk, satin, or feathers, and decorated with embroidery, sequins, or hand painted scenes. The ribs could be sandalwood, teak, bone or ivory, intricately carved or plain. For collectors, the value of a fan lies in its aesthetics as well as the value of its materials, and of course, its condition.
Victorian Fan Cards
The Victorians liked to exchange fan cards, which were valentine tokens of heavily embossed cardstock, intricately die-cut with a different valentine themed chromolithograph on each blade. One of these, with illustrations either by or in the style of Maude Humphrey, complete with its original silk cord & tassel, recently sold for $224.00.
Vintage Valentine’s Day Party Décor
Valentine’s Day parties became popular in the 19th century, and manufacturers provided a wide array of valentine themed table décor, streamers, paper napkins, place cards, cups, plates, and hanging decorations. An American manufacturer, the Dennison Company, produced an extensive line of paper Valentine’s Day party items that are eagerly collected. Beginning in the 1920s, they published Party Magazine which included decorating and party tips as well as their newest product offerings. All Dennison paper items are collectible, including issues of Party Magazine which can sell for $30-$50.
Candy Boxes and Candy Containers
Sweets for the sweet came in the traditional heart shaped, lace trimmed box as well as in candy containers and nut cups for use on a holiday table, and are available in a variety of sizes, prices, materials and vintages. With its Whitman Sampler, The Whitman Company was the first seller of pre-packaged chocolates, and one of the first to use celebrities including Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Elizabeth Taylor, in the 1950s in its print ads. Original ads can be found for just a couple of dollars.
Source:
- Official Guide to Christmas and Other Holiday Collectibles by Dawn Reno Langley, House of Collectibles, 2006
