Sure St. Valentines day is a couple of weeks past [or only 50 more weeks to go - depending on your point of view], but who cares.
As always, the Jamesons scour the state of Michigan looking for unusual pieces of our past to share with our customers and friends. Not long ago we were at an auction of a former Michigan Governor, Frank Dwight Fitzgerald. Serving two terms in the 1930s, Fitzgerald was one of only two men to serve non-consecutive terms as Governor of Michigan – John S. Barry being the other.
In addition to a beautiful traveling lectern, leather briefcase, and many first edition manuscripts – we uncovered a very unique collection from Fitzgeralds wife, Queena M. Warner – Fitzgerald.
It seems Mrs. Fitzgerald had a fondness for Valentines candy. Not in giving it, or eating it, but collecting it and storing it under glass. Similar to the little Necco candy hearts that are still available today, these candies have pithy little sayings that could have been used to express just the right emotion or sentiment:
“Will You Marry Me?”, “I Love You Dearly”, or “Ever Fondly Dear”
Truly – sentiments that have stood the test of time and would be at home on any Valentines Day candy today…but how about these gems?
“You Must Be Crazy”, “Do You Flirt?”, “You Are Gay”
On second thought…maybe things haven’t changed that much!
