My Passion Never Can Be Told, Gentleman with Bird and Letter, C. 1840 Hand-colored Block Print Valentine old bloks with a little minor staining/browning

with a little minor staining/browning here and there

The mug dates to the 1830s or so

(I quickly discovered they are quite the coveted objects

It really never ceases to amaze me that things like the have endured

(Jane Addams

My Passion Never Can Be Told, Gentleman with Bird and Letter, C. 1840 Hand-colored Block Print Valentine old bloks with a little minor staining/browningA hand colored printed valentine, c. 1840. I rarely come across an example like this, and just thought it was lovely. And of course I believe it is always time for a valentine. "I feel more than the pen can write For, true as the refiner's gold My passion can never be told." With letter in hand, which this golden bird looks poised to take in its beak and fly off to deliver. 5 3 8" x 4 1 8". Uneven long edges as evident with a few clean tears coming in