Hand-painted and hand lettered, delicate paper lace border, attached hand-painted center fold-over envelope used to offer private "love" messages on these early Valentines, attached silver metal love birds among hand-painted leaves and branches. Valentine measures 7 3/4 x 9 3/4", later professionally matted and framed, frame measures 13 1/2 x 16". Lacking about 2" of lace in upper right corner. Valentine was not removed from frame for examination. This is the second lot of the very large collection of Valentines dating from 1800s to 1920s. The rest will be selling near the end of the auction.

This is one of the estates antique lovers can only dream about! 95% of the items selling in this auction are from a local estate. The homestead had been in the same family since it was built in early 1840s. The attics, barns, milk house and closets were full of past generations accumulations. They were not antique collectors. Once they were no longer using something, it went into storage. Until we retrieved them, most of the items in this sale had not seen the light of day in more than 100 years. The 19th century Valentines and Christmas collectibles were from the estate of a collector. The 1910-20s Valentines are from the local estate. Most all of the toys, primitives and quilts are also from the local estate. All lots are sold AS IS and there will be NO RETURNS for any reason. The printed conditions and descriptions in the catalog entry are OPINION ONLY without legal obligation. The items sold are often of considerable age and will exhibit wear, usage and damage often NOT LISTED IN THE CATALOG ENTRY. Subsequently, if a prospective buyer, or his/her agent, have not examined the property to their satisfaction before the auction and prospective buyer is successful, buyer understands and agrees to these terms. Prospective buyers are in ALL CASES responsible for determining the physical condition, age and any other information important to them in making their decision to bid on lots offered