Sentimental Cards with Better Designs

An Illustrated History of the Embroidered Silk Postcards is the standard reference book on embroidered silk postcards. It contains references to over 2600 different cards with over 270 illustrations. There is no section on Sentimental Cards in the book and this listing is the only reference source available. The latest additions are shown in RED.

Sentimental cards make up the largest section of embroidered silk postcards as their manufacture started before and continued long after the the Great War period, although their popularity diminished with time. There was a slight resurgence in the Second World War and production finally ceased in the 1950s. The designs of many of the Better Design cards are as complex and intricate as those for the military and patriotic themes, but they have been overlooked by collectors because of their sentimental nature. These are the cards listed in this section.

Similar themes to those used on patriotic cards are used in sentimental embroidered silk postcards with Better Designs, such as: the black cat for good luck; the swallow, which is a symbol of hope and prosperity; angels; pretty butterflies; animals; children; and scenes of home.

The cards are arranged in alphabetical order of the embroidered caption. Many captions are in the French language, which is understandable as most cards were manufactured in France. German, Spanish and Polish captions also exist, with a few in other languages. The are listed in alphabetical order to aid reference.

See below the listings for some images of sentimental cards with Better Designs. I have grouped them into approximate themes as there are so many to display. Please remember that this represents a fraction of the Better Designs that are available, and the cards may be in the horizontal or vertical style, often with an envelope front to take a printed greetings card. A few vertical cards were designed to take a specially made silk handkerchief.

Information and images on this site are © Ian Collins 2021.

No part may be reproduced, stored, transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the author.

CAPTION DESCRIPTION

(No caption) Black cat in a hat box with forget me nots

Boy with photograph face holding lit candle, with chalice on altar

Cupid with bow and arrows, and roses

Dog pushing a monkey in a cart

Girl in sailor suit, with rose buds. Handkerchief insert

Girl stood by gate and pedestals, with violets

Hay cart with two horses, being filling with hay by farmers

Naked woman stood amongst forget me nots

Ski jumper in snow scene of mountains and trees

Two black cats fighting on a roof

Two black cats fighting, with forget me nots

Two men rowing a boat, with Swiss flag

Woman doing embroidery sat under a tree, with a chalet

365 JOURS DE BONHEUR Cat watching bird amongst holly and mistletoe

ACROSS THE DISTANCE Sailing ship inside floral frame, with bird

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY Two children holding cards, with the caption on them

A KISS FROM FRANCE Aeroplane with violets

A KISS FROM FRIEND (sic) Bird pulling a basket of pansies

A KISS FROM YOUR DADDY Four swallows on telephone wires

A KISS FROM YOUR DADDY Two birds on branch over a ladybird

A KISS FROM YOUR DADDY Two lovebirds on roses

A LOVING KISS Girl with lifting skirt holding a stylised flower

A LOVING KISS Path between topiary hedges with flowers

ALL HEIL Man riding bicycle waving his cap

ALL KIND THOUGHTS Angel sat in a basket, with pansies

ANNIVERSAIRE Motor car full of violets

ANNIVERSAIRE Swallow with two chicks in nest on wall, with lilies

A TOI MA PENSEE Village scene inside flower petals

A TOUTE HEURE BONHEUR Clock face with flower garland

A TRAVERSE LA DISTANCE Sailing ship inside floral frame, with bird

AUF WIEDERSEHN Scene of house and trees, with bird on rose briar

AUF WIEDERSEHN Elf holding bluebell with house and trees

AUS LIEBE Bird stood on water pump, with water pouring into a trough and flowers

BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME Watermill scene

BEST KISSES Bird on rose branch over scene of church and castle

BEST KISSES Chalet with fir trees and clouds

BEST KISSES Heron stood in pond with flowers

BEST LOVE Four butterflies with forget-me-nots. Caption under butterfly

BEST LOVE Two dogs outside a kennel, looking at a bird

BEST LOVE Scene of house and trees, with a pansy

BEST WISHES Aeroplane flying over village scene

BEST WISHES Lighthouse and sailing boat on sea

BEST WISHES Yacht sailing into rising sun

BIRTHDAY House with balcony, tree and pansies

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Aeroplane with forget-me-nots in the cockpit

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Two swallows carrying a garland of flowers

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Wheelbarrow full of pansies

BONJOUR DE CHEZ NOUS Decorated house

BONNE FETE Aeroplane with roses

BONNE FETE Aeroplane overflowing with violets

BONNE FETE Dog pulling a cart full of flowers

BONNE FETE Motor car filled with flowers

BUON COMPLEANNO Motor car with pansies

BUON NATALE Motor car with poinsettia and holly

CARRIES HOPE Aeroplane with roses

DER MENSCH SOLL NICHT STOLZ SEIN Girl and boy sheltering from rain under umbrella with a dog

DINNA FORGET Watermill scene with conifer tree and rose

DON’T SIT UNDER THE APPLE TREE WITH ANYONE ELSE BUT ME

Couple sat under apple tree

DOUX SOUVENIR Aeroplane with roses

EHRE SEI GOTT IN DER ROHE FRIEDEN AUF ERDEN Two angels with forget me nots

FAIR OF THE FAIR Painting of flowers on easel

FAR FROM YOU BUT THINKING OF YOU Two swallows with small church scene and forget me nots

FIDELITE Dog's head with flowers

FOR YOU Cat sat on wall reading letter

FOR YOU ALONE Three swallows on roses

FOR YOU ALONE Woman's head with hat in heart shape with flowers

FORGET ME NOT Five butterflies with forget-me-nots. Caption under butterfly

FORGET ME NOT Pheasant stood in grass, with arum lilies

FRIENDSHIP Swan with envelope in beak in frame of white lilies

FOR YOU Black cat sat on wall reading a letter under the moon

FROM A FRIEND Butterfly with pansies

FROM A FRIEND Dog carrying a basket of flowers

FROM A LOVING HEART Cupid with bow and arrows, and roses

FROM DADDY Butterfly with forget me nots and roses

FROM DADDY Robin on branch over simplified village scene

FROM YOUR LOVING SON Castle and lake scene with roses

FROM YOUR LOVING SON Swallow flying over village scene with rising sun

FROM YOUR SOLDIER BOY Pheasant stood in grass, with arum lilies

GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN Bird flying into bird box on stand, with flowers

GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN Fluttering pennant with caption on it , on a hill

GOD BLESS YOU Three ducks walking in a row

GOOD LUCK Black cat with floral foliage

GOOD LUCK Two swallows with small church scene and forget me nots

GOOD LUCK TO YOU Scene from house and garden across lake to town

GOOD MORNING DEARY Four birds flying over buildings and sea

GOOD NIGHT DEARY Sun half-hidden by clouds glittering onto sea

GREETINGS Village scene amongst mountains and trees, with alpenrosen

GREETINGS FROM FRANCE Yacht sailing on sea with cliff and rising sun

GRUSS AUS DEN BERGEN Goat in mountain scene with alpine flowers

GRUSS AUS DER HEIMAT Swiss chalet in mountain scene with alpine flowers

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aeroplane over church scene

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Boat sailing on lake with houses

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Girl sat in hammock slung between trees

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lorry full of roses driving through landscape

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pheasant stood in grass, with arum lilies

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Scene of cottage amongst woods, with water and clouds

HARTELIJK GEFELICITEERD Steamship sailing past lighthouse

HARTELIJK GEFELIGITEERD Zeppelin flying over a village

HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS Angel holding ribbon with caption, and heather

(HEBREW LETTERS - meaning Happy New Year) Six-branched candelabra with Star of David at top

HE LOVE ME (sic) Black cat emerging from an egg

HERE'S LUCK Hand holding glass of beer, inside horse shoe

HERZLICHEN GLUCKWUNSCH Boy holding bunch of flowers, sat on fence

HEUREUX JOUR Red cross inside sunburst over chalice

HOME SWEET HOME Bird flying over church with lake and mountains

HOME SWEET HOME Large wooden framed house with pine trees

HOME SWEET HOME Scene of houses with trees, and pansies

HOME SWEET HOME White cliffs with church and seagulls

HOPE AND LOVE Swallow flying over telegraph wires

HOPE AND LOVE Quiver of arrows with pansies

I DON'T FORGET YOU Girl sat on hammock between trees

I DON’T FORGET YOU Small scene of cottage inside clover shape, with roses

I DON'T FORGET YOU Two swallows with small church scene and forget me nots

IF I COULD FLY TO THEE Swallow with roses

I LOVE YOU Parrot sat on flowering branch

I'M LOST WITHOUT YOU Kingfisher with fish in claw, by water

I'M THINKING OF YOU Butterfly with violets

I'M THINKING OF YOU Girl stood by fence with violets

IN CRUCE VITA Cross with white Spring flowers

IN TREUE DEIN Girl in peasant dress playing guitar

IT WILL BRING YOU LUCK Dragonfly with roses

JE CROIX J'AIME J'ESPERE Intertwined cross, heart and anchor, with forget-me-nots

JE PENSE A TOI Woman with lifting skirt holding a pansy

JE PORTE BONHEUR Penguin walking

JE T’AIME Angel sat in basket holding pansies

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING Elaborate fireplace with blazing fire

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING Old woman sat in front of fire

KEEP THE HOUSE AND HOME House with rose bushes and topiary

LIEBESGRUSSCHEN Two ladybirds pulling cart of flowers towards village

LONGING TO SEE YOU House, trees and lake scene

LONGING TO SEE YOU Pheasant stood in grass, with arum lilies

LOVE TO ALL AT HOME Swallow with pansies in beak flying over telegraph wires

LOVE TO ALL AT HOME Windmill scene with two large flowers

LOVING THOUGHTS Dragonfly with pansies

MANY HAPPY RETURNS Child playing a tuba

MANY HAPPY RETURNS Two birds stood on nest, on rose branch

MEILLEURS BAISERS Girl holding a rose and a letter, with roses

MESSAGE DE PAIX Bird flying over village scene

MILLE TENDRESSES Boy with wheelbarrow full of roses

MY BEST KISSES Child’s head inside spade shape, with rose buds

MY LITTLE GRAY (sic) HOME IN THE WEST House among trees, with boat on river

MY LOVE IS THINE AND YOU ARE MINE Pheasant stood in grass, with heather

MY THOUGHTS ARE AT HOME Swallow with small church scene and pansies

MY THOUGHTS ARE EVER OF THEE Pheasant stood in grass, with heather

MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU Scene of cottage among fields and trees

NOT ABSENT IN THOUGHTS Girl stood by fence with forget me nots

NOTHING’S WORTH WHILE BUT DREAMS OF YOU Yacht sailing on sea, with violets

NOUS PORTON BONHEUR Female doll (Nenette) and male doll (Rintintin) tied together

PORTE BONHEUR Cat holding four leafed clover

PORTE BONHEUR Cat surrounded by violets

PORTE BONHEUR Cat with arched back and shamrock

PORTE BONHEUR Cat with bunch of violets

PORTEZ LUI MES VOEUX Three swallows with floral garland

QUELQUE PART EN FRANCE Bird flying over village scene, with flowers

QUELQUE PART EN FRANCE? Village scene with flowers

REMEMBER House with pansies and tree

REMEMBER ME Bird on briar, with butterfly. Caption under bird

REMEMBER ME LOVE WHILE AWAY Pheasant stood in grass, with heather

REMEMBRANCE Man sat in boat fishing in lake

SAY AU REVOIR NOT GOODBYE Scene of cabins and mountains

SEALED WITH A KISS Two swallows with small church scene and forget me nots

SEULEMENT JE POUVAIS VOLER VERS TOI Aeroplane with violets

SHE MUST BE IN Man in top hat with flowers, looking at washing on line outside house

SINCERE FRIENDSHIP Biplane with forget me nots and violets

SINCERE GREETINGS Two storks amongst plants

SOUVENIR Aeroplane flying over church scene with pansies

SOUVENIR Butterfly hovering over heather, with a smaller butterfly above

SOUVENIR Scene of temple, trees and lake, with two birds

SOUVENIR Stylised aeroplane adorned with floral and foliage garlands

SOUVENIR AMITIES VOEUX POUR VOTRE FETE Three swallows carrying banner

SOUVENIR DE FRANCE Dragonfly with roses

SOUVENIR DE FRANCE Two dragonflies over water lilies

SOUVENIR DE MARIAGE Clasped female and male hands, with pansies and roses

SOUVENIR DE PREMIER COMMUNION Scene of church amongst trees with spruce

SOUVENIR FROM FRANCE Pheasant stood in grass, with arum lilies

SOUVENIR OF FRANCE Scene of snow covered fields and houses, with mountains

SWEET REMEMBRANCE Girl sat on hammock between trees

TO GREET YOU Man and woman in hunting dress riding horses

TO MY BABY Lamb pulling cart full of flowers

TO MY BELOVED Village scene with trees and mountain

TO MY BOY Dog pulling cart full of flowers

TO MY BOY Dog pulling cart full of mistletoe and holly covered in snow

TO MY DARLING Butterfly hovering over roses

TO MY DARLING Dragonfly with roses

TO MY DARLING GIRL Scene across fields to church, houses and trees

TO MY DEAR AUNT Girl stood by garden gate, with violets

TO MY DEAR BABY Dragonfly with roses

TO MY DEAR BOY Swallow with roses in beak in clouds, with rising sun

TO MY DEAR BROTHER Scene of farm by lake with fields, trees and rising sun

TO MY DEAR CHILD Three black cats, and two crescent moons with faces

TO MY DEAR CHILD Girl on garden swing

TO MY DEAR CHILDREN Two birds stood on nest, on rose branch

TO MY DEAR CHILDREN Angel holding rose

TO MY DEAR CHILDREN Farmhouse with trees and field gate

TO MY DEAR DAUGHTER Pheasant stood in grass, with arum lilies

TO MY DEAR DAUGHTER Trough of tulips with two ladybirds

TO MY DEAR FATHER Kingfisher with iris

TO MY DEAR FATHER Swallow with roses in beak in clouds, with rising sun

TO MY DEAR FRIEND Swallow with roses in beak in clouds, with rising sun

TO MY DEAR FRIEND Scene of windmill and river running under bridge

TO MY DEAR GIRL Aeroplane with violets

TO MY DEAR LITTLE GIRL Girl’s head in centre of butterfly

TO MY DEAR MOTHER Angel holding rose

TO MY DEAR MOTHER Dragonfly with roses

TO MY DEAR MOTHER Kingfisher with iris

TO MY DEAR MOTHER Swallow with roses in beak in clouds, with rising sun

TO MY DEAR NIECE Bird of paradise perched on branch

TO MY DEAR NIECE Parrot perched on ring of laurel and forget me nots

TO MY DEAR ONE Girl stirring pot on table

TO MY DEAR SISTER Dragonfly with iris

TO MY DEAR SISTER Dragonfly with roses

TO MY DEAR SISTER Mountain, waterfall and river scene

TO MY DEAR SISTER Swallow pulling boat full of flowers

TO MY DEAR SISTER Swallow stood on bowl of flowers

TO MY DEAR SISTER Swallow with roses in beak in clouds, with rising sun

TO MY DEAR WIFE Bird stood on bird box on tree, in landscape with rising sun

TO MY DEAR WIFE Chaffinch stood on rose briar

TO MY DEAR WIFE Dragonfly with roses

TO MY DEAR WIFE Girl stood by garden gate, with violet

TO MY DEAR WIFE Pheasant stood in grass, with arum lilies

TO MY KIDDIES Windmill scene

TO MY SWEETHEART Aeroplane with violets

TO MY SWEETHEART Black cat looking over a scroll with the caption, with flowers

TO MY SWEETHEART Scene of sun rising over lake, with rose garland

TO MY SWEETHEART Swallow with roses in beak in clouds, with rising sun

TO MY OWN LITTLE GIRL Scene of boat in river with village behind

TO THE DEAR ONES AT HOME Village scene by lake with rising sun

TO THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME Apple tree with church and houses in the background

TRUE LOVE Bird stood on Japanesque rose bush

TRUE LOVE IS NEVER PARTED Robin stood on fence with church in background

VAARWEL TOT WEERZIENS Zeppelin flying over a town scene

VIOLETS TO GREET YOU Biplane with violets

VOTES FOR WOMEN Woman jumping and pointing to the caption above her

WE KNOW WE’RE NOT FORGOTTEN IN THE PLACE WE CAN’T FORGET

Scene of cottage in the countryside

WISHING YOU THE GOOD OLD WISH Bird pulling a cart full of roses, holly and pansies

WITH KINDEST REGARDS Kingfisher with iris

WITH LOVING WISHES Dragonfly with pansies

WITH MY LOVE Swallow with envelope in beak, and roses

XPUCTOC BOCKPEC (Christ is risen) Small winter scene with bells and holly

YOU ARE EVER IN MY DREAMS Pheasant stood in grass, with heather

YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY THOUGHTS Flying swallow with pansy in its beak

YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS Windmill with roses, pansies and forget-me-nots

YOURS ALWAYS Butterfly in outline, with roses

YOURS ALWAYS Dragonfly with pansies

YOURS ALWAYS Four swallows on telephone wires

YOURS ALWAYS Two birds stood on nest, on rose branch

YOURS EVER Aeroplane with violets, flying over houses

ZUM GEBURTSTAG Ladybird climbing up ladder into gentian violet

ZUM NAMESTAG Boy walking with stick and knapsack of flowers

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