Nanalulu's Musings: Collecting Vintage Valentines Day Handkerchiefs Hankies

Looking for hankies? Check out my website! Click banner below

I love all kinds of vintage linens and handkerchiefs, but I am unable to collect all I like. Since I like hearts better than anything I was drawn to collect pretty Valentines Hankies. I have well over 100 now, so I can only show a portion of them!

History of Valentine’s Day Hankies

Before the advent of what we today know as Valentine cards, lace handkerchiefs were often given as a token of your love. It has been told that in Medievel times that the knights going off to battle would carry with them a hankie given to them by the woman they loved.

HIDDEN MESSAGES AND DESIGNS

Sailors on voyages to distant foreign lands would send home to their loved ones pretty silk squares or handkerchiefs emroidered with hearts, love knots & cupids. Their special lady would often use these as a small purse & they became known as bundle Valentines.

Lace has long been associated with Valentines Day as the hankies often had lace trim. In Victorian times a lady would draw her handkerchief across her cheek to say I love you. Twisting her hankie in her right hand signified that she loved another. Holding the hankie over her shoulder or dropping it in the path meant follow me.

LOVELY LACE

SWEET CUPIDS!

PRETTY EMBROIDERY

You will find print hankies, embroidered handkerchiefs, lace hankies, and sometimes designer hankies. Some of the designers that made hankies in the 50’s & 60’s were

Tammis Keefe
Pat Prichard
Jeanne Miller
Frederique
Brigitta Ajnefors
Carl Tait
Lori King
Monique
Faith Austin
Kit Ann
Jean Sibo
Ann McGann

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

There are several books in publication on collecting vintage handkerchiefs. Look for Collecting Handkerchiefs by Roseanna Mihalick or Childrens Handkerchiefs A Two Hundred Year History by JJ Murphy. Try Printed and Lace Handkerchiefs by Betty Wilson.

DECORATE WITH THEM!