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.

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.

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. Here are some books you might be interested in about handkerchief collecting and displaying:

Hanky Panky: An Intimate History of the Handkerchief
Collecting Handkerchiefs
Hooked on Hankies
Handkerchiefs: A Collector’s Guide
Hanky-Panky Crazy Quilts
Printed & Lace Handkerchiefs: Interpreting a Popular 20th Century Collectible
Children’s Handkerchiefs: A Two Hundred Year History

DECORATE WITH THEM!