May You Be Happy, 19th C. Paper Lace Love Token Under Glass christ arm Great old red paint on

Great old red paint on the lid

showing a few old photos on the reverse side--one of two men standing on a fence and dated 1919

Each block measures 2 1/2” x 1 1/4” x 5/8”

with a red ribbon threaded through two holes at top that I believe likely bound it with some others

A little wear to the paper along the edges and a little minor staining and age toning

May You Be Happy, 19th C. Paper Lace Love Token Under Glass christ arm Great old red paint onA beautiful example of one of these layered paper lace and embossed die cut valentines, or love tokens, and an early one c. 1860s 70s I believe. I would guess this one was actually given on the occasion of a birth or christening, with the hopes of a happy life being imparted to the child, and, it looks to me, a babtism occurring at top center though it also looks a bit like a baby in a bird cage! Detail photos give the best sense of the layering and