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
