Mossman - Maker of 19th Century Paper Lace Valentine Cards

Loves Offering

3 7/8" x 5 1/2"
circa 1870s, 1880s 
 Single Fold
 

David Mossman (1825-1901) was an English valentine maker who created lovely paper lace cards dating to the 1860s through at least the 1880s. His paper lace blanks were sometimes purchased by others to finish. There is an example of a card finished by famed valentine collector Jonathan King that resides in the collection of the Museum Of London. I don't know if Howland used any of his blanks. I have read mention of Mossman cards featuring "splendid miniature paintings"* but have not seen any examples of such cards myself. Examples of Mossman cards reside in the collections of several museums.

Our card features fine detailing in the paper lace. The front is adorned with applied Victorian scraps. The interior has a hand written verse:

No other motive has been mine
For sending you this Valentine
Except my friendship to express
And wish you wealth and happiness. 

*Jonathan King as quoted on p34 of The American Stationer, Volume 68, July 2, 1910
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SOURCES:

Ruth Webb Lee - A History of Valentines, 1952
The American Stationer, Volume 68, July 2, 1910

Cannons - Big Shots in Love

You're the BIG SHOT in my life, Dear Valentine.

6 1/4" x 4 1/2"
circa 1940s, 1950s
Mechanical Flat
 marked: made in USA
 L-172

To My Valentine.

12 1/8" x 8 5/8" x 2 1/4"
Dimensional Card
Angels with Cannon
5 layers
circa 1900s, 1910s
marked: Germany
features a tissue paper flag emblazoned with a heart
and paper-puff accent in red
perhaps a Frances Brundage

Animals - Deer

I love you DEER-ly Valentine!

2 3/8" x 5"
circa 1960s 
 Flat
 made in USA

You're a DEER - Be my Valentine.

4 1/2" x 3 1/4"
circa 1950s  
  Flat
  made in USA
 marked 59VK-747-16
card was punched out of a book or set