A couple of beautiful prints – actually book plates – that I acquired this past week lead to today’s focus. A pair of images removed from a book. A book called ‘The Quiver of Love – A Collection of Valentines Ancient and Modern’ by various authors published in 1876. The book contains 8 lithographs 4 each by #WalterCrane (1845-1915) and #KateGreenaway (1846-1901). I hope I have found the correct titles for them.
Eight wonderfully coloured lithographs by a couple of the best artists of their time. Both of these, I believe, are by Walter Crane. The book was compiled of ‘love lyrics’ all capable of being used as ‘Valentines’ while the book itself was meant to be used as a gift book or as an indication of an even deeper regard. The lyrics or poems spanned time from Shakespeare (ancient) to Coleridge (modern). #TheQuiverofLove a book about love for lovers.
Certainly when it comes to #Valentines, the Victorian era was an high point. It was a very romantic time and the giving of cards exploded greatly when the penny post began. Valentines then like Christmas now was a time when the postal service became over-loaded and every year an appeal went out to post your cards early so they might not get delayed in the vast quantity of cards being sent. I will let four cards in my collection speak for themselves. #Paper-lace was a speciality in Victorian times. I hope you enjoy the supreme quality of the cards which were used to express their sentiments.