BEAUTIFUL ESTHER HOWLAND
VICTORIAN LACE VALENTINE CARD
CIRCA LATE 1800'S EARLY 1900'S
HEART SHAPED
VERY DETAILED WITH ORIGINAL ACCORDIAN FOLD SPRINGS
CHERUBS, DOVES, BUTTERFLIES, FLOWERS
APPROX. 7"X5"
Several design innovations are attributed to this talented woman with a creative eye, which set her unique product apart from the competition. Multiple layers, hinged or lift-up flaps, accordion springs, die-cuts or Baxter prints, and heavily embossed flowers - often overlaid for impact - were applied variously to the designs. The folded paper springs enabled the separate layers to rise up, creating a dramatic shadow-box effect. Colored paper wafers set beneath different sections of the lace enhanced the patterns to make them even more visually appealing. Preferring that the sentiment be saved for the more personal interior of the card, she developed separate "Mottos" inside. Esther did not start marking her cards until she realized she had competition so many of her early cards go unmarked.