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Printed and Lace Handkerchiefs

Interpreting A Popular Twentieth Century Collectible

A Schiffer Book for Collectors, With Price Guide

a book by Betty Wilson

A Book Review by Patricia Cummings

Upon first leafing through this thick volume, Printed and Lace Handkerchiefs, one’s first reaction is utter amazement at the number of beautiful examples of hankies that the author has amassed. The second delight is in seeing all of the terrific examples of print materials (ephemera) that have been added to give the book an old time feel and ambience. Betty has collected old catalogs and woman’s magazines and presents us with reprinted ads, one of which advertises three embroidered hankies for nineteen cents.

Reading this book is like taking a walk back through history. Each captioned photograph adds more to our understanding of the subject, one to which Betty has devoted a great portion of her time and energy for many years now. In her book, she explores the various shapes and types of hankies by decades, for an easy overview.

Whether or not you are a seasoned hankie collector or not, this book is sure to add to your knowledge, and may encourage you to be on the lookout for more of these precious, affordable, and collectible hankies.

Betty presents us with more than four hundred color photographs and clear text. She also provides examples of how hankies have been used for design purposes, including those utilized to make aprons and quilted wall hangings. Included is information about caring for your hankie collection.

©Copyright - Patricia Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, New Hampshire. e-mail: pat@quiltersmuse.com