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MOST CHILDREN TODAY DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT A HANDKERCHIEF IS. But Judith Butler grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, when every granny had a hankie tucked into her sleeve, and children often carried lunch money tied up in little handkerchiefs of their own. She began selling vintage handkerchiefs as an offshoot of her antique clothing business, The Butler’s Cottage. “You just would not believe how many people collect them,” Judith says, adding that Christmas-related handkerchiefs are extremely popular. They’re also relatively inexpensive as far as collectibles go. Judith sells most of her mid-20th-century handkerchiefs in the $3 to $12 range at antique shows. “It’s nice to offer something everyone can afford,” she says. “PEOPLE BUY CHRISTMAS HANDKERCHIEFS FOR ALL SORTS OF REASONS,” Judith says. “I have one customer who arranges them as table runners during the holidays.” Others dress up their tables by using the handkerchiefs as dinner napkins, placemats, or cocktail napkins. They can also be used to wrap Christmas gifts, “so you end up with a gift within a gift,” she says. Some even use vintage hankies for their original purpose. “They’re a lot more stylish than tissues,” she notes, “and they look nicer, too.” Many collectors specialize. Some purchase only figural images (such as the carolers (a)); others limit their collections to scalloped handkerchiefs hemmed with contrasting thread (like the ones adorned with stockings (b), and bells (c) ). Other collectors, says Judith Butler, prefer handkerchiefs with colored background fabric (like the reindeer and candy cane hankie (d)). Handkerchiefs shown here (e), printed with poinsettias, holly, and other Christmas motifs, were found in many a pocket-book from the 1940s through the 1960s. |
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In addition to the usual suspects (eBay, antique shows, and estate sales), vintage clothing dealers almost always have handkerchiefs, Judith says. “And there’s always Grandma’s attic.” For more information on Judith’s business, write to her at TheButlersCottage@comcast.net. |
