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Dear
Friends,
Welcome to another romantic year at my Victorian Treasury. Valentines
and expressions of love are the centerpiece of my site, where
I focus on providing a unique resource for the collector, historian, or
craftsperson. I enjoy sharing my passion through my personal
collection, my research, the articles I write, my posters,
and the cards I create. You will find helpful links, as well,
to expand your romantic adventure through other interesting resources
online.
I am delighted to announce that I am now President of the National
Valentine Collectors Association. The organization, now in its’
thirty-third year, continues to dedicate itself to
encouraging the preserving and collecting of Valentines. A quarterly
newsletter, complete with a mail auction, interesting articles, and
pertinent information, will continue, and I encourage your
participation. Membership information is located on this
website. Additionally another location, www.valentinecollectors.com,
is
being developed to complement the newsletter, and will be exclusively
for it.
Wearing another hat, I am a member of the Board of Directors of the
Ephemera Society of America (www.ephemerasociety.org) and I
urge you to
look at their website. All manner of paper – I like to think that my
tokens of love are not ephemeral – receive serious attention from
dealers, collectors, and academia. My recent cover article for their
Journal, on scrapbooks, shows the incredible connection between all
these marvelous treasures we adore. Finding others to share
your enthusiasm, and benefiting from their annual conference and paper
fair, are important advantages.
Due to the changes in the eBay structure, the live chats -- a
staple for the past eight years – have been discontinued. They did
archive our latest one, and it can be found at
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?start=280&threadID=2000513248.
Valentines range from tender handmade ones, to elaborate lace paper
confections, children's’ cards meant for the school Valentine exchange,
caustic comic ones, celluloid devices, and even postcards.
Within this range there are cards with religious and romantic motifs,
as well as Civil War and cartoon characters -- so there is
something to appeal to everyone. Please visit my
“Library”, where I am always adding new articles for your
reading pleasure or research. Some of you have written about the
extensive time you spend here, and I couldn’t be happier!
The history of the Valentine is an important aspect, as Valentine’s Day
has been widely celebrated for centuries.
The historic puzzle purse
seems to have a unique appeal, as the complex folded puzzle reveals a
message, but, once opened, is a challenge to
reassemble. Last year, as a gift to all of you, I posted a
template, instructions for folding, and an image of an antique from my
collection. Many of you created puzzle purses that were just
phenomenal, yielding artistic creations which will definitely
become cherished heirlooms. Once you’ve perfected the
process, you’re ready to create your own design -- and the adventurous
souls will be rewarded with an amazing treasure. Enclose a lock of
hair, a tiny ring, or a special photo or remembrance -- and it will
make the best Valentine -- ever!
And this year, the secret will be
out, as everyone else will learn to create this fascinating
puzzle, when they are featured in the February issue of Martha Stewart
Living Magazine!
Enjoy your visit here, and return often. While Victorian
Treasury continues to grow, it is impossible to
include everything within this broad category. If there is anything you
need or want, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Celebrating love and affection, every day of the year,
Nancy
President,
National
Valentine Collectors' Association
Member of the Board of Directors, Ephemera Society of
America
Special thanks -- and love -- to my son, Matthew, for his
unending contribution to the content and design of this website.
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