Sailor's Valentine

[anteros_lmc]

Despite the name, "Sailor's Valentines" often weren't made by sailors, most were made in the West Indies, often in Barbados, and were sold to sailors as souvenirs. This one, from the National Maritime Museum, dates to the mid 19th century and comes from Jamaica. Isn't it cute? I love the crabs! XD


And did you know that Glasgow is home to the relics of St Valentine? No? Well you do now! St Valentine's relics were originally kept at St Francis church in the Gorbals but were moved to the church of the Blessed St John Duns Scotus in 1999.

Comments

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

That little keepsake is adorable. The little crab casts are very sweet. I especially like the tiny shells that make the background for the writing.

And of course I did not know that about St Valentine. I just sort of vaguely know that he was an early-ish saint, I think, and he was one of those that had a miserable time at the end. I shall go to Wiki now, and learn!

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Valentine was one on those who were beheaded. Not sure what that's got to do with romance, but there you go. (I often don't understand about romance.)

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

It would appear he got in trouble for marrying people, (to each other, not to himself.) So he is associated with romantic love for that reason. Also there may be more than one Valentine.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

How about that?! You now know far more about St Valentine than I do! If he got beheaded for marrying other people, just imagine what they would have done if he'd married them himself!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Nothing says romance like hacking some poor bloke's head off!

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

Ickle crabs are too cute! Crabs really are darling little critters. I spent some considerable time at the beach watching them scurry to and fro (and filmed them, too).

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I agree! Crabs are splendid wee things. Sister and I used to spend hours playing with them on the shore when we were kids :)

[ioanite.livejournal.com]

That's amazing! Gorgeous too. Do you know if they're still made?

[idler-1814.livejournal.com]

They are still made! I saw some lovely ones at the Shell Museum on Sanibel Island (Florida), several made quite recently by local artists.

Kits are available so that you might construct your own, as well. Available here: www.nantucketsailorsvalentinekits.com, for example.

They have nothing as cute as those crabs, though!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, these are gorgeous! I have seen the 19th century ones come up at auction occasionally, they seem to be quite collectible. Funnily enough I was in a vintage book store with esmerelda_t yesterday and there was a woman at the cash desk in front of me buying a book about Sailors Valentines! I was kicking myself that I hadn't spotted it before her :}

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

That's adorable. Want!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

They're very pretty aren't they? I can just imagine Horatio making a perfectly geometrical one!

[amaraal.livejournal.com]

Holy crab! Wants one too :)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Me three! And if I can't have the valentine (hand delivered by a handsome sailor of course) I'll settle for the crab XD

[nodbear.livejournal.com]

Yes we all need one I think =

the shells are pretty
and it is good design

makes me think somehow of the elderly lady in Cornwall who fondly cherished shells and other exotic gifts from abroad which had been brought to her by a young middy who wsa forever grateful for the many times she covered for him when he bunked school to go out with the fishermen ...

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Yes, I wonder if Ned ever sent home one of these?!

FUnnily enough, my mother used to make shell pictures not unlike this in the seventies when there was a fashion for such things.