Whether you want to wave it, catch a tear in it or simply carry it for adornment... you couldn't choose anything more appropriate than a handkerchief. (from a Marshall Field and Company advertisement, 1929)

{HISTORY}

Always the style maven, Burmel handkerchiefs and scarves enhanced women's fashion choices throughout the 19th century. In business since at least the 1930's, Burmel made a plethora of handkerchiefs in all sorts of styles from plain and simple to beautiful and bold. Equally known for their engaging marketing campaigns, they collaborated with Vogue magazine for the Handkerchief of the Month campaign, introduced shoppers to Hankie Trix, the creative gal who could make stunning, outside of the box apparel using scarves and handkerchiefs, and regularly promoted their favorite lines and designs with popular product launches like color of the month, design of the month and a year of handkerchiefs.

In that same vein, Burmel also produced a series of greeting cards especially designed to house a gift handkerchief or two or three (as in this case). Magically hankies transformed on the page into cloth skirts or hats or flower petals like in this greeting card featured here. This one was called the Garden of Handkerchiefs line which carried a garden theme along with the Mary, Mary quite contrary poem and three floral cotton handkerchiefs in pastel colors. Suitable for many gift-giving occasions like Mother's Day, Easter and Valentine's Day as well as birthdays, weddings, baby showers etc. it is easy to see how this would have been a fun and useful gift to give during the century when every woman would have had a handkerchief with her at all times. Whether she was cleaning up a mess, recovering from an emotional outburst or stifling a cold, hankies were as much a matter of necessity as they were a symbol of style. 

Burmel gift cards with hankie inserts are now very hard to find, so this is an exciting offering in the Kitchen shop. A gift from "Markie to Mother" on November 3rd, 1945, this gift set includes three never been used handkerchiefs in their original flower garden paper packaging. Eac of the handkerchiefs tuck into the acrd so that they resemble flower heads and petals in a series of vignettes starring Mary Quite Contrary.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Very rare Burmel gift set in original packaging

- Inscribed and dated November 3, 1945 on back panel

- Set includes three cotton handkerchiefs and paper gift card

{CONDITION}

In incredible condition considering it is 79 years old and paper of paper and cloth! There are some very light foxing marks on the card and some slight wrinkles along the fold lines and edges. There are two small rips in the green flower base section in the center panel (where the grey handkerchief is displayed (please see photo). 

The three handkerchiefs have been laundered and put back in their corresponding places in the cards. The handkerchiefs contain no holes or pulled threads and are very bright and clean. 

{SIZE}

The card measures 7.5" inches (width) x 9.75" inches (length) when folded up. Each handkerchief measures 8" inches (width) x 8" inches (length). 

{GIFT IDEA}

A fun way to announce a major milestone in your life to your mom, like telling her that  that you are expecting triplets, or letting her know that you are planning a three day wedding or asking her to be your cheerleader as you enter your first triathlon this is a sweet and sentimental gift inspired by good tears and joyful times. It also makes a great gift for the fashionista in your life who appreciates not only good clothing design but also good packaging!