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Next Event: May 27 - 28, 2023 10am-5pm both daysRandolph Street Market 1341 W Randolph St, Chicago
Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Vintage Valentines… Always Classic, Always New

FASHION TREND REPORT EXCLUSIVELY FOR RANDOLPH STREET MARKET BY NENA IVON, nenasnotes

Was the first valentine sent by St. Valentine in the 5th Century, or by Geoffrey Chaucer in 1375 when he wrote a poem about love and linking it to St. Valentine and refers to February 14th or perhaps the oldest known surviving valentine, housed in London’s British Library, a 1415 poem, in French, by the Duke of Orleans to his wife. The oldest valentine sent by a woman, Margery Brews, also in the British Library, was sent in 1477. Or is the popularity of Valentine’s Day a “made up” Hallmark holiday (the first Hallmark valentine card was produced in 1913), I say “fake news”! In my humble opinion, the early dates suggest that love writings have been with us throughout history and will continue as long as romance continues…I am a major romantic after all!

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

From Shakespeare’s Hamlet…spoken by the tragic Ophelia “To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day, All in the morning betime, And I a maid at your window, To be your Valentine.”

In today’s post I will concentrate on collectible Victorian Valentines with a few modern versions thrown in for good measure. Yet another collection for each of us to consider when visiting the always intriguing Randolph Street Market, where you can also find fabulous ephemeral materials to make your own

By the mid 1820s, some 200,000 Valentines were circulated in London, by the late 1840s the number of cards being sent doubled, and doubled again in the next two decades. Many of the cards were handmade and became quite elaborate with lace, paper lace, ribbons, hand-cut dies, etc. They were so layered they become almost three dimensional.

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

The collection of Jonathan King, housed in the Museum of London features 1,700 samples. Historian, Lucy Worsley visited this collection in her October 2015 BBC series A Very British Romance. The program features the most elaborate card in the collection, which was made by Jonathan King himself for the woman he loved.

Here a charming YouTube piece….enjoy.

Let’s take a look at some of these exquisite cards…

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

And a few decorating suggestions…

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

One of my most favorite days in grammar school was Valentine’s Day when our entire class exchanged valentines….and, even then, I wanted to get an extra special one from a certain little boy…sigh!!

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

Naturally a book on the subject.

Valentines Randolph Street Market Collectibles

All photos from Pinterest, no photo credits available, the exception the top photo from my collection, photo taken with my iPhone.

—–
by Nena Ivon
www.nenasnotes.com
www.facebook.com/Nena Ivon
www.instagram.com/nenasnotes

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collectible decorating fashion Hamlet Jonathan King randolph street market trends Valentines Victorian vintage

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In honor of our 🎊TWENTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY 🎊in Chicago’s historic West Loop/Fulton Market district, we’ve partnered with some of our most happening neighbors - we invite all to explore the TREASURES OF THE WEST LOOP with this incredible GIVEAWAY!! 🎉

This West Loop Weekend Package is for TWO people (you and your friend/lover/mother/cousin, etc!) ⬇️

-STAY at Robert di Niro’s Nobu Hotel and
-ENJOY rooftop cocktails
-DINE around the globe at neighborhood hot spots Bambola and Coquette
-BRUNCH and COFFEE at Beatrix 
-GIFT at The Fig Tree
-TREASURE HUNT at the world-famous Randolph Street Market!!

We will have multiple hotel/dining/neighborhood fun packages for each of our 3 summer market weekends!! Ready to get in on the RSM Treasures of the West Loop Giveaway? 🥳🙌 Here's how to win:

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THANKS TO OUR GIVEAWAY HOSTS!!
@nobuhotelchicago @bambolachicago @coquettechicago @beatrixrestaurants @thefigtreechicago @west_loop 

*This package is for our May 27+28 Market Weekend only*

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“An avid gardener, composter, and recycler; assuring that my design footprint is as nominal as possible is so important to me. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night otherwise! Being able to upcycle, share a beautiful object knowing it has likely already had a life of love, is a very fulfilling experience. If only these treasures could talk.... It would be fascinating to hear their stories. Until then, I am just happy to keep them out of landfills and in our beautiful spaces.” - Brianne Bishop, Brianne Bishop Design 🌟⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

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“At Randolph Street Market, I have found some incredible artwork, especially hand drawings and block prints, as well as some awesome African sculptures. I have placed the pieces in my home, and styled them into the homes of my clients. I once bought a chair from the 70s in gold velvet. I had it reupholstered in zebra skin and installed it at a client's home and it was a huge success — original, unique and very chic.”​​​​​​​​
- Anthony Michael, Anthony Michael Interior Design 🌟​​​​​​​​ @anthonymichaelsinteriors
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🌟 There is something for everyone at the Randolph Street Market!! With a fabulous, diverse group of dealers each & every time, it's no wonder RSM was selected as one of the “9 Flea Markets You Must Visit Before You Die” by Better Homes & Gardens 😊️🌸⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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