Collection of 22 woven paper pockets and heart-in-hand love tokens, ca. 1927

22 pieces ranging from 2 to 7 inches in length: 8 paper heart-in-hand “quilt hands”, 8 woven paper pockets, 4 interwoven hearts, 1 folded heart/spade, and 1 plain paper heart cutout. The earliest is dated 1924; the majority are from 1927 and signed, “With love, Ida J. Shank.” One of the large woven pockets is inscribed inside each of the four flaps: July 1, 1927… With Love to Lida… Remember me….Age 79 this year.

Ida Jane Shank (née Strickler) was born in Virginia on December 8, 1847, and died in Virginia on November 10, 1932. She married carpenter Peter Shank and bore 10 children, 7 of whom survived to the new century. This is one of two sets of her woven paper tokens that have been preserved. Made from old letters, clippings from books and magazines—the front of each piece has solid colors but old print and designs can be seen when peeking into the pockets. The hands, in particular, still have many postmarks and old writing visible, wonderful evidence of the paper—and the maker’s—history.