Wednesday, October 14, 2009

VTT, Vintage Handkerchiefs

It's Vintage Thingies Thursday, so make sure you hook up with ColoradoLady's blog to see what else is on display.
This afternoon I had to pick up one of my DSM's from it's annual check-up and since "Heirlooms For Hospice" is in the next block I cruised by [ostensibly to drop off a donation] and inspired by the beautiful "embroidered ladies" in a previous post on our Fall quilt retreat, just happened to enquire if they had any vintage hankies!
"Oh yes, a box full" they said!
Here is the "loot"- I managed to restrain myself and chose carefully. Oh, and I thoughtfully left a few for someone else, I didn't hog them all.
There are six pieces here that seem brand new, quite large and a fine linen they may have been meant for a gentleman but are certainly a nice size for table napkins and that's what I have in mind for them. They are beautifully hemstitched.

These four have crocheted edges, they may be used but are in fine shape.

Wow, this is unusual, it would make a great skirt for a flamenco dancer.

Four brand new hankies, some still had the little brand labels, a couple of them have design in all corners. The detail is lovely.

Two on the left are gently used, the one on the right looks like organza and seems new. It has beautiful lace insertions.

These have been used but are in fairly nice condition and have decoration in all four corners.
See the drawn thread work, I remember doing that myself as a child!
These two look as if they are new, the one on the left is very fine silk......
and two plain linen that would embroider nicely.

So there you have it, twenty four in all, a dime a piece ladies!!! Sorry for the triple exclamations but this is amazing, and I complain that I never find deals like the rest of you vintage collectors but today was my day for a bargain.
I am an old fashioned woman, I always carry a clean hanky just like my Mumma taught me.

Oh add a couple more WHIMMs [Works Hidden In My Mind] to my list would you.

21 comments:

rt said...

These are all beautiful!

joanne said...

Fantastic!! I also collect these and right now I am seriously envious of this wonderful find. You lucky girl! Thanks for sharing and enjoy...;p

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

They are all so beautiful!

Debbie said...

Great purchase. Vintage hankies are one of my weaknesses!

Ulla said...

The ladies used to have such pretty handkerchiefs. You found really lovely ones.

Jane said...

You got a great buy!!! (I'll triple exclamation point that one too) I see vintage handkerchiefs anywhere from $1.00 to $3.00 so 10 cents is a steal. You got some very pretty ones too.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Jane

Postcardy said...

That's a great bargain. Some of them look like they would be good for making handkerchief dolls. I bought a kit once to make a handkerchief doll but have never got around to making it.

Jocelyn said...

Oh wow, what a bargain for 10c each!!! They would be $2 or $3 at an antique shop. Great find!

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

RachelD said...

These are absolutely charming!! And I always think of the thin, soft fabrics of old handkerchiefs as "fine lawn" from the writings of the eras when hankies were as much a part of the ensemble as hats and gloves.

I do believe the butterfly would have been a daring addition to a dashing costume, tucked into a lady's decolletage JUST SO.

Unknown said...

Honestly they are just beautiful! Its amazing what you can find for so little! Ive gotten those kinds of things for very little too...sometimes as part of a 'fill your bag for this much'... and its kind of sad sometimes. I know these things were cherished and well cared for...

viridian said...

24? Are you sure you left some for other thrifters? :-)

LV said...

I love your hankie finds. The ones with the crochet are very pretty. I especially like the one with the butterfly design on it.

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

You got a great deal on those pretty hankies.
thanks for sharing them.

Christine said...

What an amazing deal. My grandmother used to crochet the edges of hankies. The butterfly one is pretty spectacular.

Angela said...

Wow! You got some great deals! I like the butterfly one the best! :)

Vintage Thingie Thursday!
Angela

Coloradolady said...

Oh.My.....what a day you had! I would have snatched them all up...I just love the butterfly, so pretty.

Have a great weekend and a wonderful VTT!!

Reddirt Woman said...

One of the few things that I have and cherish is a dainty little hankie that was my mom's. She always had a hankie in her purse to wipe a mess from a child's face or a tear from their eyes or her eyes.

Thank you for this beautiful little hankie post.

Hugs...

marian said...

they're all beautiful..my faves are the lacy ones

Miri said...

Beautiful! You are so lucky!

Teresa said...

I always try to find them for my Mom. She too advocates the hanky in your purse. I haven't quite caught the habit yet, but hankies always reminds me of my mother. Great find!

JEWELGIRL said...

What a fabulous deal on the hankies! That butterfly hankie hand work is amazing! :)