Souvenir Pillows from
WWII Era (?) (Non-military)
PART V of "Sweetheart Pillows" Article
by Patricia L. Cummings
This page is being set up to show you some examples of non-military, possibly WWII era, souvenir pillows that are fringed and made of the same cloth, so therefore, they look similar to the military version.
Collection of Patricia Cummings. photo by James Cummings
Elegant Souvenir Pillow Tops Produced
During the twentieth century, other pillow tops were produced that are similar to those made for military use. These were intended as souvenirs for various tourist attractions. Recently, I purchased several pillow tops of this kind, for $10.00 each, plus shipping, from www.vintageblues.com One pillow top, shown above, depicts scenes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including “The Chimney Tops and Highway,” “The Loop,” Leconte Creek,” Newfound Gap Highway,” and "Clingman's Dome.” The pillow top consists solely of images and the names of places, and is rendered in turquoise and violet hues, with a turquoise fringe.
Collection of Patricia Cummings. photo by James Cummings
A second souvenir pillow top features a “Mother” poem. This particular one features the head of Abraham Lincoln and names various places associated with him such as "Lincoln's Cabin," "Interior of the Lincoln Monument," "Lincoln's Home," "The Lincoln Tomb," and the "State Capitol." In addition, the words, "Springfield, Illinois” appear on the piece. The poem says this:
There's a dear little
house inviting,
in a dear little place
I know;
A welcome is always waiting
when to that little
house I go.
For there lives the dearest lady
the sweetest I've ever
met,
and to-day if I cannot visit,
Dear Mother, I don't
forget.
Hawaii "Mother" Pillow
Collection of Patricia Cummings. photo by James Cummings
A third souvenir pillow top in my collection says, “Souvenir of Hawaii” and features palm trees, the beach, “The Capitol, Formerly Royal Palace, Honolulu,” a Hula Girl, Net Casting, and a Hibiscus Flowers, as well as the following words:
Mother
To one who bears
the sweetest name
And adds a lustre
to the same
Who shares my joys,
who cheers when sad
The greatest friend
I
ever had
Long life to her
for
there's no other
Could take the place
of my dear mother
As you can see, the Hawaii pillow is intended for "Mother." All of the souvenir pillows, mentioned above, were purchased for $10.00 each.
A Heart-Shaped Sweetheart Pillow
The next pillow shown says, "Aloha, Hawaii," and it features a Sweetheart poem.
Sweetheart
Love unending warm and true
Sweetheart mine this brings to you
Love which hopes that happiness
All your day's may
Cheer and Bless.
Souvenir Pillow from Indian Echoes Cavern
This particular pillow features a "Mother and Dad" poem, with the same words as we saw before, beginning with "In all the years gone by, you planned and strived for me ..."
Collection of Patricia Cummings. photo by James Cummings.
©Copyright 2007. Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, New Hampshire. All rights reserved. pat@quiltersmuse.com