Sweetheart Pillows
Part II
World War II Revisited
by Patricia L. Cummings
This is an additional page of images of Sweetheart pillow tops that were sent home to loved ones, during World War II. For a more complete description of this kind of textile, please see Part I of this article. What mother, sister, parent, or sweetheart would not be charmed to know that they are loved, from a distance, their memory treasured by a soldier away from home? The poetry on these pillows is enchanting!
"Forget-me-not" pillow top.
Photo courtesy of "Russ," an eBay seller named "surplusruss."
US Army Forget-me-not Pillow
A very interesting pillow marked "7th Armored Division - Camp Polk, LA" features a very unique verse:
Forget-me not
When the golden sun is sinking,
And your mind is trouble free,
When of others you are thinking,
Will you sometimes think of me?
Fort Dix, NJ Pillow Top
Traditionally, Fort Dix, New Jersey has been a major departure point for GIs heading overseas. Therefore, many of the collectible sweetheart pillows that we see today are from that military enclave. The following verse appears on many of the pillows that we have seen offered in online auctions:
Sweetheart
Love unending, warm and true
Sweetheart of mine, this brings to you
Love which hopes that happiness
All your days may Cheer and Bless.
"Sister" Pillow Top from Camp Campbell, KY
Levi Strong, an eBay seller, "rockinlevi," has been kind enough to send us two photos of "Sister" pillow tops from WWII.
Camp Campbell, Kentucky WWII pillow top for "Sister."
photo courtesy of Levi Strong
To My Sister
Sister, Nice to chat with
good to know
glad to have her
where I go.
kind in trouble,
bright in joy
suits exactly ---
can't say why
Sweet and lonesome
always true
That's my sister,
yes, that's you.
The other pillow top hails from Pendleton, Oregon and is has a banner heading of U.S. Army/Air Forces. Below, we are showing only the close-up of the verse.
Close-up shot of the writing on another "Sister" pillow top.
photo courtesy of Levi Strong
U.S. Coast Guard Pillow for "Sister" from WWII
A soldier sent this pillow to his sister. The rainbow-hued pillow cover features a "Sister" poem, a pink fringe, and a red, silk-screened battle scene and roses. This pillow top is from a Cape Cod collector's estate.
WWII "Sister" pillow top, 17" square, with U.S. Coast Guard seal. Notice the anchors. photo provided by eBay seller, "captcsnake"
Sister O' Mine Pillow Top
WWII Pillow Top from Camp Haan. photo courtesy of eBay seller, "atticfines."
Two hand-painted roses, an artillery piece, and a tie-dyed effect grace the surface of this lovely pillow that measures 15 1/2" wide x 17" long, and has an extra wide, pink fringe that measures 2 3/4." The back has blue cotton fabric.
Camp Haan was developed in November 1940 as a "Coast Artillery Anti-Aircraft Replacement Training Center," in California. Thus, we see the word, "Riverside," a city in California.
Sister O' Mine
No friend half so near to me
No comrade so true
No pal half so dear to me
Sister as you.
No love half so sweet to me
No heart half so fine
As the love and the heart
of you, sister of mine.
Kaiser Ship Yards Pillow Top
The next pillow has the words, "Kaiser Ship Yards, Richmond, Calif.," and "Victory by Production," and features a star within which the words, "Liberty Ships" are written. "Maria in NE, PA" shared the following statement on the Vintage Fabrics list:
From 1941-1945, Henry J. Kaiser's company was responsible for the innovative techniques used in building the Liberty Ships that were so important in winning WWII.
The pillow shown above is from WWII. Photo courtesy of Mikki Duchene.
U.S. Navy "Mother and Dad" pillow. photo by Mikki Duchene.
Note: This particular pillow may date from the 1950s according to eBay seller, "dauntlessaviation" who says that the ships, airplanes, and jets date from that time, which would be after World War II ended. Thanks, Kevin.
Mother and Dad
No one knows but
Mother and Dad
About the smiles and
tears we've had
No other is willing
and glad to share
Whatever we have
of joy and care
No others of
Years gone by,
or understand each
smile and sigh.
For the dearest hearts
On this old earth
Are the hearts at home
Of golden worth.
Reminder: Do Not Wet or Iron Pillow Tops
Many of these pillow tops are creased from having been folded. Do not attempt to iron them as the inks will run, and the fibers will sustain damage. Rayon pillows should be dry cleaned, but only as necessary.
See Additional Parts of this Article
"High Flight" - a poem by John Gillespie Magee of the Royal Canadian Air Force who was a fighter pilot during WWII. Recited by Patricia Cummings.
Wearing Propaganda - 1931-1945: Textiles on the Home Front in Japan, Britain, and the United States, a book review by Patricia Cummings
©Copyright 2007. Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH. All rights reserved. pat@;quiltersmuse.com