Valentine

Artist/Maker
Banning, Sylvia Minerva
Place Made
Greenville Georgia United States of America
Date Made
1857
Medium
ink –paper
Dimensions
HOA: 7 3/8″; WOA: 5 5/8″ (Paper)
HOA: 13 1/2″; WOA: 11 1/2″ (Framed)
Accession Number
5636
Description
Handwritten poem on paper with a hand cut paper wreath surrounding a set of pink paper birds and a yellow paper hand pointed downward; below the design is a poetic inspiration and signature; paper is mounted and framed. The handwritten text reads: “How short the connection we form, In a world so uncertain as this, How soon will eternities storm, Sweep away all the phantoms of bliss, The pleasures may charm with her breath, And point to her magical bowers, Yet she hides the keen dagger of death, In a sheath made of blossoms, of flowers.” Signed “S M Banning/ Greenville Ga, Feb 15th 1857”
History
The author of this valentine was Sylvia Minerva (Post) Banning (1808-1879). Born in Westbrook, Connecticut, she and her husband Joseph L. Banning (1807-1875) moved to the town of Greenville in Meriwether County, Georgia in 1837. Banning became a local judge, and they were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Credit Line
Gift of Deanne Deavours in memory of William and Florence Griffin and Paul M. Hawkins.