Give Me Your Dear Little Heart, c. 1840s Paper Lace and Die-cut Valentine with Interior Hand-written Verse ecuadorian weaving with fish In original black paint

In original black paint

With this fluffy little dog standing on hind legs as if thinking it were the sole focus and star

With rubber cement showing through the white paper as evident and a few stray drips here and there--all of a piece with it and all to the good I think

with a red painted steel gnomon (the part that casts a shadow)

no breaks or splits or repairs

Give Me Your Dear Little Heart, c. 1840s Paper Lace and Die-cut Valentine with Interior Hand-written Verse ecuadorian weaving with fish In original black paintI'm always so happy to turn up early paper lace valentines of this sort worlds away from die cut examples from a few decades later. And often, as here, lovely handwritten verses inside. Give me your own dear little heart. We will be happier than if apart. Then mine I will give to thee! The your valentine I'll be. Signed "Sincerity" (rather than Sincerely) which I think is quite nice. 4 3 4" x 3". Excellent antique condition.