Block numbered in two places: 7094, also 1453 on small adhesive label on back of block., Image an older woman outside leaning or stooping toward the ground in front of a tree; three girls facing her looking on, one reaching out hands, perhaps to assist her., “N.J. Wemmer 215 Pear St. Phila” – Back of block. Boxwood dealer Nelson J. Wemmer is listed at this address in Philadelphia city directories from 1861 to 1876., Back of block partially obscured by pasted-down piece of paper.
A woman ice skates. She has a headdress and curls along her forehead that resemble Ancient Greek styles., Text: When ancient damsels take to ice, / The fire of youth no longer shines, / And they should quit this poor device / For catching cold and Valentines., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell, 2022., Label on the verso from Montclair Art Museum (Montclair, N.J.) (Double Head Study), Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ethan D. Alyea. 1964.51., Bust-length, forward-facing portrait study of two white women. In the left, shows an older woman with brown ringlet curls framing her forehead and attired in a white lace day cap tied in a bow under her chin and a dark-colored dress with a white lace collar. In the right, shows a young woman with her dark brown hair parted in the middle and tied back and attired in dress with a white neckline. There is an additional portrait of a woman on the verso of the canvas. A cut out in the frame reveals the eyes of the portrait. A photocopy reproduction is taped to the back. Bust-length portrait of a white woman with her blonde hair tied back and attired in drop earrings, a multi-stranded necklace, and a light blue dress.
The grandmother wears a poke-bonnet and shawl. The valentine mocks older women who pursue younger men., Text: I'm a lonely Grandmother, / And want a young beau, / To nurse and caress me / As older I grow., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
An older woman sits reading to three small children. The text suggests that she vents her frustrations at being unmarried on the children., Text: Deserted old damsel, so prim and demure, / You have lost all your hopes for a husband at last; / When you refused, and you now must endure, / Your old maidish thoughts and regrets for the past. / Sour tempered old dame whose only delight, / Is to tease the poor children who are put in your care; / On them vent your spleen if they are not quite right, / And to vex and annoy them as much as you dare., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A woman with an oversized head leans over a smaller man with her index finger raised in the air. Her mouth is open and her tongue is out. The man has a papers labeled "Tracts" in his pocket and a book labeled "Bible" has fallen on the floor. The valentine criticizes her for exhausting others and monopolizing the preacher's attention., Text: ‘Tis said you loved a Parson, / And he was short of breath; / You cornered him so well one day / You talked him right to death. / Now, when they hear you’re coming, / It makes them wince and frown; / The seek the nearest depot, / And take the train from town. / I pray thee stop, and have some pity, / Or we won’t have a preacher in the city., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A wrinkled woman holds a parasol and tilts her head up. The sender criticizes the recipient's fear of marriage and threatens that she will be damned., Text: My wrinkled old maid, who to wed is afraid, / And therefore, unmarried will stick; / At the end of your days if you don't mend your ways, / You're sure to be caught by Old Nick., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
