Collecting vintage and/or antique valentines is something that has an emotional appeal to everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or the area of the world in which you live. The valentines of the past reflect everything from social history, Americana, romance, imagry, artistry, emotion and just plain fun! There is such an enormouly wide range of valentines available that it is easier to break them down into several basic categories to simplify your exact search. This guide will help you organize, identify and determine the top priorities and details to consider when making purchases for your collection either in person or on-line.

• Antique paper lace style valentines that incorporate die cut decorations and early handmade pieces of paper scrap that date back as far as 100 years. paper lace valentines

• Dimensional valentines that may push up or pull down, some more elaborate styles that incorporate small honeycomb tissue that fills out as the valentine unfolds from the base dimensional valentines

• Mechanical valentines that were made to move by pulling a tab that would make the valentine alive with real motion (eg. jump, walk, move) mechanical valentines

• Honeycomb valentines that have large areas of tissue honeycomb that unfolds and fills out to form a shape of it's own (eg. hot air balloon, skirt, hat, etc.) honeycomb valentines

• Non opening valentines that were printed on a flat heavy paper stock

• Flats, valentines that were simply one flat piece of paper (eg. the little classroom exchange type) vintage valentines
• Full greeting card valentines

One of the most important things to recognize is the true condition of each individual piece. Avid collectors prefer only to acquire the highest quality pieces which are becoming more and more scarce due to a couple of major issues brought about in the last decade. First, the availability of shopping anywhere in the world with the touch of a computer button links us all together and links all collectors after the same rare and beautifully delilcate pieces that have survived generations by being properly preserved which is most often not the case. These over time will be removed from the marketplace and added to collections all over the world, but will eventually take it's toll on the availability of the oldest and most delicate valentines. Among the main issues to consider is that the most delicate paper lace, scrap and tissue honeycomb are highly deteriorating if not properly stored. Many people had a tendency to tuck valentines into old scrapbooks, sometimes even applying old cellophane tape or glue to the backs - which greatly lowers their value. Particularly when making valentine purchases on line, there are some specific issues that should be made perfectly clear, if not already detailed in the listing's description. These are:

• Edge & corner wear, nicks, rips or tiny edge tears
• Creases to thinner parts of the valentines such as arms, legs & necks
• Residue, tape discoloration or glue from being removed out of scrapbooks
• Age discoloration from improper storage
• Dry rot deterioration to the fine paper lace, honeycomb tissue
• Dirt spots, grease spots or any sticky spots from candy that frequently accompanied them
• Odors such as pet, smoke or musty odors, from basements or damp storage

It is also very difficult to find valentines that still have the original envalopes with them. Sometimes the envalopes alone are worth more that the valentines, depending on age, size and condition.

There are so many fun valentine categories to look for, many collectors specify and collect only one topic, some collectors search for only one type, but most collectors let their heart rule over their buying decisions. Some popular collections include pieces from:

• Specific artists only such as Charles Twelvetrees, Francis Brundage, Tuck Charles Twelvetrees, Frances Brundage
• Honeycomb style antique pieces where the honeycomb creates the major part of the valentine itself such as a wedding chapel, tunnel of love, tree house, light house
• Die cut vintage pieces that were largely German made and very intricately die cut
• Antique paper lace and only hand made valentines
• Vintage 1950's classroom exchange style flat paper valentines
• Vintage Disney valentines, Pinocchio, Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Pluto, etc.vintage disney valentines
• Vintage superhero valentines such as Superman, Spiderman, etc. vintage superman valentines
• Vintage Sunday funnies valentines such as Jiggs, Blondie, Felix the Cat, etc.
• Specialty themed valentines such as foods only, sports only, musical instruments only, etc.

Some collectors find it rewarding to limit their personal collections to any ONE particular theme as outlined above. Some collectors love a wide range that includes a little of everything from every era. All collectors love to acquire pieces that appeal to their emotion over and above any other criteria. It is all the more fun to purchase and fit into your collection pieces that you really love!

Please note - I am happy to share my passion and expertise as a long time collector with you. If you have a piece that you would like more information on you can email a photo to me and I can help to identify the approximate age, major manufacturer or artist or other questions you may have. I do NOT charge for this service - just contact me at angela.cooke@roadrunner.com