Handkerchief Thoughts 2008

After many years of collecting, I am still fascinated by the rich supply of handkerchiefs. My collection of them has raised many questions and thoughts. Here you can part of them.

• Today, almost only paper handkerchiefs are used. Hygienic and good!
• There are collectors of paper handkerchiefs, too. And many are buying them for use in decoupage.
• New white handkerchiefs are expensive today. A washed ordinary handkerchief costs approximately SEK 25.
• Really old everyday handkerchiefs are difficult to obtain, they have been worn out, used as plaster cloth or discarded. However, the luxury handkerchief still existt. These are sold at high prices for example in the USA. On the Web, I have seen fine old wedding handkerchiefs attract a price of 175-200 US dollars.
• In the U.S., sales of used handkerchiefs is quite large. eBay has on a daily basis around 20 pages with handkerchiefs, sold individually or in clumps. Old handkerchiefs can be used again in patchwork quilts, doll's clothes, aprons, etc. Many fine handkerchiefs are framed. The birthday gift can be wrapped in a handkerchief. In this way, the use has changed from being a purely useful article to a hobby thing.
• The size of the handkerchief has varied over time. At the turn of the century the handkerchief were quite large, about 50x50 cm, while the handkerchiefs we have today are 25-30 cm square. The luxury hanky for the handbag has small dimensions, about 20x20 cm. Men's handkerchiefs have always been larger.
• The handkerchiefs from the 50th century are outstanding! The printworks are amazing ! And what about the flower embroidery!
• Many designers have drawn fine and funny handkerchief patterns. Such handkerchiefs are sold at pretty high prices today, and designers like Tammis Keefe and Jeanne Miller are world famous.
• Jobs and Viola Gråsten are examples of Swedish designers who have put their names on handkerchiefs. But most designers are anonymous. Perhaps it was not a high status work design handkerchief patterns.
• A stitched tip edge always gives an elegant impression. Belgian lace is world famous, and here in Sweden, Vadstena-lace has a good reputation.
• Hand-rolled edge and handstem increase the quality of the handkerchief.
• Many incredibly fine, almost wholly embroided handkerchiefs come from Asian countries. There, the low wages has made women and children produce wonderful handkerchiefs at ridiculously low prices. Home-made handkerchiefs have a special charm. Hand patched lace, relatively simple monograms and various sizes are common. It is really exciting to open a package of newly purchased handkerchief to see what it hides. Perhaps there is a really good luxury handkerchief or a lovely embroidered handkerchief, perhaps there is souvenir handkerchief which was never used.
• Manufacturing of calendar handkerchiefs began in the late 40's. They are charming and real document from that time, well worth collecting.
• The handkerchiefs sent home to mothers, sisters, wives by soldiers also are true documents from that time. The thin silk handkerchief often hide a genuine homesickness.
• There are thousands of handkerchiefs with printed flowers. Some are professionally designed, many are routine works. American flower handkerchiefs are often a little bombastic in the patterns, in my opinion.
• Many people who hear about my collecting hobby, wrinkle their noses a little and maybe think that it is quite unhygienic. When they see the handkerchiefs, they are often fascinated and admiring. In addition, many think it is a good thing to collect - the collection does not occupy a lot of space.

The exhibition 'Storsamlaren' ('Great Collectors') at the Nordiska Museet in 2007 was a pleasant experience, with many unusual and interesting approaches, friendly contacts and little publicity about the collectionism.

Exemple of designers

Exemples of handkerchief manufacturers