Papercut for Eliza Earp183012 1/2 × 14 1/4 × 3/4"Pen and ink on wove paperGift of Bliss Carnochan1983.22.10papercut valentine 15226897J. BarkerDrawingsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. Handwritten in ink, center: Eliza EarpPhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaUnited StatesPennsylvaniaWorks on PaperPhiladelphiavalentinePAPERCUTThis papercut-valentine was donated with an attached letter written by Eliza Earp's great-granddaughter. According to the letter, the valentine was cut by an inmate in the State Prison on 6th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. Eliza Earp's father, Pidgeon (?) worked in the prison and was befriended by an inmate who made the valentine and other tokens for the family. Valentine's Day is one of the oldest "Days" celebrated in which written greetings are exchanged. The papercut form, with its lacy effect, lends itself particularly well to valentines. Papercuts have been made in the Pennsylvania German communities since the 18th century and by the 19th century papercutting was widely practiced. After the middle to end of the 19th century, machine-made embossed paper, machine-cut lace and other specialty items replaced the handmade examples. and other specialty items became available from the middle to end of the 19th century, handmade exampleObject information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org18301830 1983 22 1 valentinePAPERCUTThis papercut-valentine was donated with an attached letter written by Eliza Earp's great-granddaughter. According to the letter, the valentine was cut by an inmate in the State Prison on 6th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. Eliza Earp's father, Pidgeon (?) worked in the prison and was befriended by an inmate who made the valentine and other tokens for the family. Valentine's Day is one of the oldest "Days" celebrated in which written greetings are exchanged. The papercut form, with its lacy effect, lends itself particularly well to valentines. Papercuts have been made in the Pennsylvania German communities since the 18th century and by the 19th century papercutting was widely practiced. After the middle to end of the 19th century, machine-made embossed paper, machine-cut lace and other specialty items replaced the handmade examples. and other specialty items became available from the middle to end of the 19th century, handmade exampleObject information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.org