HAPPY VALENTINE!
I am a paper guy. My collecting interests cover many things including Victorian trade cards, postcards, etc. which illustrate goldfish, fishbowls, and aquariums. And, well, other paper forms have tended to find a place in my collection over the years. In that it is February, a few Valentine cards came to mind, and I would like to use them herein to wish you and MOAPH a happy Valentine month. And this is with no disrespect to the rodent who also gets his day this month. They do after all run his movie back-to-back to back etc. on at least one certain channel (probably more).
Here is a nice young couple checking out the family goldfish bowl. This is what is known as a mechanical card.
By the manipulation of a strategically placed tab on the back of the card a helpful Cupid like goldfish rises to the occasion and delivers a heart to the receiver of the card. Cute.
This is one of my favorites. This is a German printed large card with an overly large goldfish in an overly small decorative bowl speaking to the receiver of the card. Another mechanical card – note the tab at the right.
Move the tab, a heart makes itself known, and the goldfish appears to be puckered up and ready for a Valentine kiss.
Now I will admit that this is not very pretty. It is the back side of the above card. Picturing it here serves two purposes: First, it shows the interesting “mechanics” for manipulation of the card. Secondly, the romantic side of me can’t but help to wonder if Mildred was able to corral James. I would like to think so – this good Valentine might have just done the job.
MOAPH covers the wide world of pets, so I won’t just let goldfish take control. I like dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles and have enjoyed all of them at one time or another. So to dog lovers I offer this card – and hey, it just happens to also have a goldfish. I couldn’t control myself.
Postcards have, over the years, also served as a Valentine feelings delivery service. This card is postmarked 1909 and only cost one cent to mail at the time. It displays Cupid being pulled in her flower filled quahog vessel by a team of goldfish. She is obviously looking for the recipient of the card. But, in keeping with the MOAPH scope please note the beautiful white doves that Cupid has already bestowed her magic powers on.
There are also Valentine cards with cats and goldfish, but I doubt if they are thinking of love, so I’ll pass on them for now. And, if anyone happens to come across a Valentine picturing a large furry Pennsylvania rodent romancing a goldfish, please let me know. I would certainly want to add that to my collection.
And Lastly, Again, Happy Valentine Month to All!