12 Tokens of Vintage Valentine Romance

By Marni Elyse Katz
February 7, 2012

Brand new isn’t always better. One could argue that timeworn trinkets more effectively conjure the feeling of long-lasting love. (In fact, as Valentine's Day nears, eBay listings for items with the term "vintage Valentine" are up 63 percent and sales are up 24 percent in the past week versus the prior period.) We sourced a dozen romantic finds for Valentine’s Day giving, from lockets and cameos to sonnets and samplers.

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48 Vintage Valentine Charms

Miriam Haskell Seed Pearl & Rhinestone Heart

Antique Cameo Heart Pin/Pendant

(buy it now price, $150)

Multi Heart & Locket Charm Bracelet

(current bid, $26.09)

Red Glass Heart Paperweight

(starting bid, $1.49)

Love Sampler Love Dated with Valentine Heart

(current bid, $20)

Vintage Embroidered Table Runner with Valentine Motif

2 Vintage Valentines with Cupids c. 1910

Vintage Dresden Gold Pressed Hearts on Paper Valentine

Vintage Valentine Day Postcard with Kissing Couple

Shakespeare's Love Sonnets by William Shakespeare

(buy it now price, $18.49)

D .Porthault Pink Heart Handkerchief

(buy it now price, $49.99)

1. 48 Vintage Valentine Charms: There are dozens of ways to make the most of this sweet assortment of hearts: pile them in a glass canister, pin them on a canvas board and frame it for the wall, or cluster them on brass chains of different lengths and distribute to everyone you hold dear.

2. Miriam Haskell Seed Pearl & Rhinestone Heart: Born in 1899, jewelry designer Miriam Haskell created baubles true to her Art Nouveau roots. Today, her company's pieces are still made by hand out of stamped brass, pearls, glass beads, and Austrian crystals.

3. Antique Cameo Heart Pin/Pendant: This antique cameo is rendered even more romantic thanks to its heart shape and beaded edging. Wear it as a pin or strung it on a chain as a pendant,

4. Red Glass Heart Paperweight: If she’s more of a workhorse than glamour girl, try staking a claim on her desk with a simple heart-shaped paperweight in red glass.

5. Love Sampler Love Dated with Valentine Heart: A needlepoint love sampler—how quaint. As is typical of this type of needlework, the piece includes the date. The heart is adorable, and the multicolored checks quite modern.

6. Multi Heart & Locket Charm Bracelet: A chunky link bracelet with over 20 heart charms undeniably says, “I love you.” We adore the variety from puffy heart lockets to filigree and engraved hearts, open silhouettes, a ruby red heart charm, one with seed pearls, another with a rhinestone and a sweet porcelain detailed version.

7. Vintage Embroidered Table Runner with Valentine Motif: For an intimate dinner with your sweetie on February 14th or any time of the year, an antique hand-embroidered table runner will add a touch of old-world romance.

8. D. Porthault Pink Heart Handkerchief: Take a visit to the past with this modern-day example of a hankie: D. Porthault’s pink heart pattern with a scalloped edge done in a slightly darker pink.

9. Shakespeare's Love Sonnets by William Shakespeare: The book is new, but the bard’s 29 most romantic sonnets have stood the test of time. Don’t just give it; read a few aloud.

10. Two Vintage Valentines with Cupids c. 1910: In the age of email, sending an old-fashioned Valentine would no doubt be seen as a romantic and thoughtful gesture. These two cards, which hail from the turn of the century, are festooned with greenery and baby cupids.

11. Vintage Valentine Day Postcard with Kissing Couple: This old-timey postcard features a couple reminiscent of the portraiture of John Singer Sargent. Funnily, the lovers seem to be standing on a sofa. The rosy color, further embellished by the ends of a gilded arrow, is quite pretty.

12. Vintage Dresden Gold Pressed Hearts on Paper Valentine: A bevy of gold hearts shot through with arrows makes for a graphic display of 14-carat love.

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