Charming Victorian Valentine with Die Cut Pig and Flower lace intensely decorated with tiny pin

intensely decorated with tiny pin prick marks all over

with about 20 miles between detour signs one was supposed to follow

I believe this sampler came from an estate in Newburyport MA with quite a fine collection of antique samplers

so that wheel doesn't turn freely

There is some paper inside the lid as cushioning for the glass

Charming Victorian Valentine with Die Cut Pig and Flower lace intensely decorated with tiny pinIn my book it is always time for a Valentine, and I think this is quite the charmer, though it might take the right sort of recipient to appreciate an implied comparison to a little piggy! I believe this is a fairly early one, c. 1870s or so, with what looks to me like hand coloring for the blue ground and tan pig, and then I believe gold foil on the cutout bit just above. Blank inside so ready to be sent now, though also I think certainly frame