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Valentine

Valentine needle case
Needle Case


Design Representation

Design Details

Needle Case Type:

Figural (not listed on design registration as a needle case, however it is listed as a needle case in an 1873 advertisement)

Patent/Registered to:

W. Avery & Son - Redditch

Patent/Design Representation #:

Ornamental Class1: Metal: #269271

Patent/Design Registration Date:

December 27, 1872

Location of Patent/Design Registration:

The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK

Reference #:

TNA Representation - BT 43/33/269271
TNA Register - BT 44/3/269271

Dimensions:

5.5 x 0.5 x 11.4

Material:

Brass

Name Variations:

W. Avery & Son - Redditch

Other Variations:

a) Flat back with interior diamond frame and engraved cupid
b) Easel back with interior diamond frame and engraved cupid
c) Easel back with interior oval frame

Additional Photographs

Front details

Exterior arrow detail and side view of easel back version

Flat back with interior diamond frame and engraved cupid: front open and back views

Flat back with interior diamond frame: interior engraved cupid detail and front bottom with signature detail

Easel back with interior oval frame: front open and back views

Easel back with interior oval frame: front and back details

Easel back with interior diamond frame and engraved cupid: front and back details (photographs from eBay)

Facts

A valentine is a card, gift or greeting given to a loved one on Valentine’s Day.  They come in many different sizes and shapes and usually include cupids, doves, flowers and hearts.  Although printed valentines are still the most common, electronic versions are gaining popularity as society becomes more paperless.  In terms of the sheer numbers of greetings sent annually, February 14 ranks second only to Christmas.

Valentine facts

History

Valentine greetings began to appear in the Middle Ages, however, it wasn’t until the 15th century that they appeared in written form.  The first written valentine is attributed to Charles, Duke of Orleans, composed in 1415 to his wife in France while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.  During the 16th and 17th centuries valentines become commonplace in Europe, especially in England, however, they had to be delivered by hand or left on doorsteps.  Their popularity increase tenfold during the Victorian Era because of advances in color printing and the introduction of the “penny post” which made it easy and inexpensive to mail them.

Valentine history

Miscellaneous

Cupid is often depicted on valentines as a naked winged boy who carries a bow and arrows and is considered the symbol of love.  The famous Italian Renaissance painter Raphael included the cupid shown below in one of his famous frescos painted in 1514.

Valentine misc