Lace Paper Basis Of Early Valentines

When valentines began to be made of lace paper, in the mid-19th century, the valentine industry burgeoned. As the century advanced, the valentines became more and more lacy and intricate. They came to be almost paper sculptures.

On a foundation of lace, girls in shops added fabric scraps, printed poems, artificial flowers, mirrors, chromolithograph scraps or any other creative idea they concocted.

The girls themselves were poorly paid, but some of their creations sold for the equivalent of several months’ wages.

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Ben Franklin’s Advice Still Usable

Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Alma nacks are an American classic. They’ve been reprinted in hundreds of editions since Franklin wrote them in the 1700s. And much of what he wrote remains every bit as applicable today.

For instance:
In February of 1755, he said, When the Wine enters, out goes the Truth,” and also “If you would be loved, love and be loveable.

In January of 1757, his words of wisdom included: Many a Man’s own Tongue gives Evidence against his Under standing.

But the best advice for now, written in January of 1751 to welcome in the New Year, says,

If we lose our Money, it gives us some Concern. If we are cheated or robb’d of it, we are angry: But Money lost may be found; what we are robb’d of may be restored: The Treasure of Time once lost, can never be recovered; yet we squander it as tho’ twere nothing worth, or we had no Use for it... Be wise Today, ... Procrastination is the Thief of Time.

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German-Made Cat Fairings Popular In England

There are many, many collectors of animal figures. Possibly cat collectors are the most enthusiastic.

One type of cat to add to a collection is that made as a fairing. Fair ings were little ceramic groupings popular in Victorian England that were sold at fairs as souvenirs.

Some of the pottery cats sold as fairings were made by English potteries such as Bow and Denby. Most of them, however, were made in Germany for the English market.

Fairings usually were about four inches high, on a rectangular base. They could consist of a single figure or a group.

The groups of cats were shown taking part in some human activity - for example, having tea. The intent was to be humorous, and it was common to include an inscription of some kind on the base which was a comical referral to the activity portrayed.

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