With Valentine’s Day approaching, I have something special to show you. They’re sweet, Victorian and embellished with flowers, birds and saccharine sentiments. But don’t let this fool you. They’re visiting cards, otherwise known as calling cards, used extensively as a tool of etiquette back in the day. Judging from their style, I’m guessing that these particular cards are from the 1920’s.
Before visiting someone, it was considered proper etiquette to first leave your visiting card at the home of the person you wanted to visit. In other words, you couldn’t just do a drop-in. I’m all in favor of the no drop-in rule, especially with my in-laws! Just kidding!
You can read more about the complex rules of visiting in Emily Post’s book, Etiquette in Sociey, in Business, in Politics and at Home, in the chapter devoted to Cards and Visits.
I began collecting these cards a few years ago and I now have eight, a nice gratifying number.
I want to show you these Bonne Annee postcards. I bought them from Timeless Treasures about a year ago. I had every intention of devoting a blog post to these exquisite little gems, but alas, life got in the way and I forgot about them. That is, until our morning dog walk yesterday.
Chico, our alpha Pomeranian, gets easily bored with our walks around the neighborhood, so I occasionally drive to new places to lift his spirits. This strategy works most of the time until he gets bored… but, that’s another story.
While walking through this fresh new neighborhood, I came upon a darling little house for sale. It resembled the little French cottage in one of my Bonne Annee postcards: the same charming roof, the same color, the same provincial style. Although tyrannical Chico insisted that we move on, instructing me with his faint growls, we lingered.
The windows were bare of curtains so I could peer in to see bay windows in the dining room, an inviting hearth in the living room, and newly finished hardwood floors throughout. In a small quaint side room, which I fell deeply in love with, I saw walls covered with a very old and faded floral wallpaper. It was a sight that made me slightly giddy with the hope of someday sitting in a room of my own just like that.
These postcards make me think of that old house and how it made my heart sing.
My husband and I visited Flax at SOMA last week. We always have a great time at Flax and this last visit was no exception. They sell art supplies galore! I always find myself happily lost in their great paper department. I could seriously spend the whole day at Flax admiring everything. We love that place so much.
Anyhow, Doug bought a few pens and markers, and I came home with a lovely pocket-sized, bird-inspired notebook by Cavallini. Unlike other stationery that I buy just to look at, I have great plans for this one. :)
Pugs not drugs,
Katrina
Take a look at these hand-painted cards from Natty Michelle on Etsy… aren’t they precious? I love them all! Thanks, Natalie!
I luuuurve this pug.
Taco luuuurves this card, too.
Happy to add these to my
wall. :)
Lovely Natalie elsewhere:
The 2010 Agenda by Cath Kidston is cute and practical, features a zip pocket cover, has monthly and weekly views, an address book, with a generous section for notes (perforated) and comes with lots of labels and stickers. It’s a Chronicle Book. :)
