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Lot 250 - Grouping Of Four Antique Valentine And Christmas Cards Including Mechanical And Booklet Formats, Ernest Nister And Castell Brothers Ltd., London And New York

Lot 250 - Grouping Of Four Antique Valentine And Christmas Cards Including Mechanical And Booklet Formats, Ernest Nister And Castell Brothers Ltd., London And New York

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Grouping of four antique holiday cards and ephemera, including a mechanical Valentine card titled "For My Valentine" depicting a baby swaddled in a blue-ribboned blanket with pink flowers and twin-heart motif, signed Ernest Nister and printed in Bavaria, No. 1197, published by E. P. Dutton & Co., New York. The layered mechanism, originally operated by ribbon to raise the baby’s head, is detached and fragile—ribbon broken and glue joints separated. Front piece is detached from rest of card. 2" x 5-1/4"
Also included is a small Christmas booklet titled "A Christmas Greeting," featuring a string-tassel binding, cover illustration of a blond child’s head on angelic wings, and a poem by Sarah Doudney, published by Castell Brothers Ltd., London and New York, and J. B. Young & Co.; cover shows water staining. 3-3/4" x 3-3/4"
Third is a fold-out Valentine card with paper kickstand reading "To My Sweet Valentine" and verse "I'm off in haste / My love to greet / And lay my fortune / At her feet," depicting a boy in pantaloons and clogs carrying an orange bell, marked "Ernest Nister, London" and "E. P. Dutton & Co., New York" on verso. 5-1/2" x 8"
Lastly, an intricate multi-layer mechanical Valentine card with gold gates, flowers, and Cupid delivering mail, designed to create a pop-up 3D effect when pulled; mechanism unglued and nonfunctional. Hidden marking "34.B." inside. 4-1/8" x 7-7/8"
All exhibit general wear, toning, and separation consistent with age and delicate construction.

Auction Date: 10/16/2025

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