For Christmas I decided to buy some pretty handkerchiefs for Miss Viola, the mother of a friend of mine. Miss Vi calls me her “other daughter,” and that’s a good feeling for someone who lost her mother in 1987. She and my mother were friends as well. How wonderful that Miss Vi still uses actual cloth hankies instead of paper tissues!
During the research process of purchasing, I discovered handkerchief holders, lovely satin confections to keep a lady’s hankies straight and neat after ironing. Vintage handkerchief holders summon the past into the present. Of course I had to buy one for Miss Vi, and I couldn’t resist ordering three others for myself. Hers was from the 1950s, and I didn’t think to get a photo of it before Christmas. I’ll get one later on to share. I know my friend Meg took one of her mother holding it, along with the new hankies. For now, I’m sharing photos of the three I bought for myself. Although I’ve never been a frilly person, I absolutely love these.
The rare handkerchief holder above is from the 1920s. It’s the bee’s knees, the cat’s meow, and the snake’s hips! With the goddess Epona plunging back to the Roaring 20’s in my newest novel Mind Your Goddess, I just had to have it. Don’t you just adore clothing from that era — bejeweled head coverings, beaded handbags, tasseled flapper dresses? Note the sassy red silk hanky peeking out of the top.
This one is from the 1940s. The design and actually the feel of the material itself is reminiscent of that wartime era. I can see its owner, a hardworking woman hurrying to the factory with stocking lines drawn up the backs of her calves due to nylon shortages.
To the left is what the 1940s one looks like when opened and unfolded. Pretty!
Below is an English style handkerchief holder from the 1950s. Doesn’t it make you think of sipping tea in Miss Marple’s rose garden? We won’t be imbibing the Earl Grey tomorrow though. In honor of these vintage hanky holders, and the remarkable women who created and used them, for Cocktail Saturday we’ll experience a real lady’s drink! Check back with me tomorrow when it’s five o’clock somewhere.
I never knew there was such a thing as a handkerchief holder. I constantly have Kleenex with me, especially during the winter months…a necessity of living in the Northeast. Maybe I should get one of those silky frilly red hankies like you have. Certainly bound to be softer on the nose! Then I can find a nice soft handkerchief holder to go with it 🙂 I love your vintage Fridays!
I never knew they existed either, but I instantly fell in love with them. Better a red hanky than a red nose! Thanks so much for stopping by, Mae. I always appreciate your insight and sharing.