"The Printed Square" Review and More Handkerchiefs

 The Printed Square by Nicky Albrechtsen is the latest addition to my collection of books on handkerchiefs. All but two or three hankies presented are new to me, and even those are in a different color way than what I own.

The author offers an overview of the history of handkerchiefs including their social significance, the various materials used to produce handkerchiefs, especially during WWII, and the rise of designer handkerchiefs. I especially appreciate her delineating characteristics of handkerchiefs by decade. The 240 photographed handkerchiefs, dating from 1920 to 1960, are arranged by color groupings with one handkerchief per page.

Each was chosen for it's overall design. Most are 'generic' printed cotton, with floral or geometric motifs, yet each has a nice visual impact on the page.

Most books have focused on handkerchief categories such as novelty, designer, souvenir, or hand work embellished. Here we come to understand the wonderful design of the hankies women actually carried in their pockets and purses, the ones not saved special. Some even show wear and holes. The collector saw beyond condition, appraising the design quality of the piece. The designs have an exuberance about them, an energy that is delightful to the eye. This is wonderful eye-candy for collectors.

Harper Deisgn
ISBN 978-06-212338-1
$24.95 hardbound

For your viewing pleasure here are some 'generic' handkerchiefs from my own collection.

Someone embellished this with French Knot embroidery

The white background shows through this thin linen material under the flash 

Machine embroidery in black

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Spring=Flowers. Floral Handkerchiefs

Orchid handkerchief quilt; mid-century cotton hanky with triple borders

Just when I thought spring would never come, the daffodils and crocus have started to peek from the earth. The snow has melted over the last two weeks, but in shady places I can still see a foot of snow.
Even after six hours of thunderstorms overnight.

We had four months with deep snow on the ground, with below freezing cold, and lots of wind. So I am more than ready for spring. So I am sharing some of my favorite floral handkerchiefs from my collection.



Mid-century cotton hanky with roses



Lotus cotton hanky



Mid-century cotton hanky. Pansies.



New hanky bought several years ago at a restaurant in Gaylord MI. Cotton.



Mid-century tulip cotton hanky



Mid-century peony cotton hanky



Mid-century cotton Iris hanky



Mid-century violet bouquet cotton hanky



Water lily cotton hanky, mid-century



Wildflower cotton hanky, likely 3rd quarter 20th c



Oversize flower hanky, cotton, mid-century

cotton hanky with petunias and flox



Pansies mid-century cotton hanky

Pussy Willow mid-century cotton hanky

Cotton late 20th c hanky



mid-century cotton hanky with poppies and gladiola



Mid-century pink lilacs cotton hanky



c. 1940s cotton hanky with roses