Bridal Bells Card
Printer
unidentified
Date1927
Mediumpaper
Dimensions7 3/8 × 5 1/4 × 1/4 in. (18.7 × 13.3 × 0.6 cm)
ClassificationsDocumentary Artifact
Credit LineAlbuquerque Museum, gift of Mrs. Paul Forsythe
Object numberPC1985.40.12.A
DescriptionThis card represents a dual-purpose artifact: both a beautiful example of early 20th-century design and a vessel for preserving personal or communal history. The card serves as a poignant reminder of early 20th-century customs surrounding memory preservation. "Bridal Bells" cards, often used as wedding mementos, were valued for their sentimental and decorative appeal. Its transformation into a record of Dr. Cooper’s sudden death reflects a personal connection to this event, underscoring the practice of repurposing keepsakes to document significant life moments. The newspaper clippings offer a glimpse into the historical context of 1934, a period marked by economic hardship during the Great Depression. The card features a soft cream-colored cover with an illustrated purple and pink orchid on the front, accented by green foliage. The title, "Bridal Bells," is written in elegant gold-colored script beneath the floral motif. The card is accompanied by a matching cream-colored box with a simple, unadorned design. The card is rectangular with a slightly larger box designed to protect and house it. The cover opens like a booklet, and the card holds newspaper clippings from 1934 inside, related to the sudden death of Dr. Cooper due to heart failure. The set presents a delicate and refined aesthetic typical of sentimental keepsakes from the early 20th century.On View
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