Muguet - Lily of the Valley Vintage Postcard

vintage postcards

Tomorrow is May Day! Here in France, we celebrate by exchanging sprigs of muguet (lily-of- the-valley) Charles IX started the tradition in 1561. He received a bonny little bouquet himself as a symbol of luck and Springtime. He liked it so much that he gave every lady in court this lovely bell shaped blossom!
 
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48 cool cats commented:

Roslyn said...

My Mum grew lots of Lily Of The Valley in her garden in Australia, it is very beautiful. I wish I could grow it in Arizona!

claude said...

I have Lily of the valley in my garden and tomorro I will gave some to everybone.

Veronica Lee said...

This is the first time I'm looking at 'Lily of the Valley' . I hear about them in songs but have never seen one up close. But then again, maybe I have but never noticed.
Do they grow in the tropics?

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

lily of the valley.. love the flowers.. wish I have some in my garden.. have a nice day!

moti said...

Hi, it´s the first time I'm looking at Lily of the Valley, lovely!!!!!
regards
Eli

twinkle teaches said...

This little girl looks so precious. I love the scent of Lily of the Valley! My mom has always grown it. That and tiger lillies. :) tina

vicki archer said...

Happy first of May for tomorrow, xv.

Ulla said...

We have lily of the valley in early June, sometimes in May. I remember having Muguet deodorant when I was very young!

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hello Marie
Thank you so much for your good wishes & kindness and for checking on Larry's wellbeing. He is still awaiting the scan, have been advised that it may be another week or so before he gets an appointment at the animal hospital.
I like your post as Lily of the Valley is one of my favourite flowers. I have some on my kitchen table and the scent perfumes the whole room. It is a pity their flowering season is so short but whilst they are there, they do bring a rau of sunshine to my garden and house.
Take care Marie and thanks for being so caring.
Isabelle x

Penney said...

this card is just the best! She is so cute!!! I also LOVE the bouquet..Thank you!!
hugs,penney

Coloradolady said...

I am sure Lily of the valley is beautiful. I don't think we have any here in Texa...too hot. Cute post card by the way. Have a great day! Happy VTT and Happy May day!

Jenjen @GottaLoveMom said...

Beautiful!

Do stop by my site, I have something for you-
http://gottalovemom.blogspot.com/2009/04/blogger-awards-thank-you-and.html

Debby said...

Love your beautiful postcard. I have lily of the valley coming up everywhere, it is beautiful and smells so wonderful.
Debby

Terri Kahrs said...

Marie, I just LOVED your post today! I used to pick big bouquets of Lily of the Valley to give to my Grandmother. The flower and the scent always reminds me of her. Thanks SO much for your visit to my blog and you lovely comment too. Hugs!

Terri Kahrs said...

Marie, I just LOVED your post today! I used to pick big bouquets of Lily of the Valley to give to my Grandmother. The flower and the scent always reminds me of her. Thanks SO much for your visit to my blog and you lovely comment too. Hugs!

ClassyChassy said...

Hello - loved reading about the lillies of the valley! The ones in my garden are now about 5 inches tall, but still look like slender tubes poking up from the ground - leaves and flowers must still be forming! I'm glad I stopped by to visit you today - nice blog, and great vintage postcards!

Nancy said...

Lily of the Valley is the flower for May, my birthday month. I wonder if this originated in France? And, my name is Nancy, French? Oh my, a theme in my life I didn't know about? I do love them and a vintage pic is precious.

Sweetnothin' said...

how come nothing interesting like that happens in the US. Hmmm. Would love to receive some lily of the valley

Blind Fly Theater said...

Thank you for the introduction to May Day... I am learning so much.

Ann said...

Yrs ago I collected vintage post cards but I never had any a wonderfully fun as yours.

Unknown said...

In my family we exchange lily of the valley, violets, or May flowers. Growing up we had a May Day garden with all of these flowers.

Beca said...

What a darling postcard. So cute!

Daryl said...

I love Muguet .. so delicate so very fragrant ...

Sarah said...

This is such a sweet postcard. The little girl is as precious as her hat and the lily of the valley is beautiful!

Susan said...

Beautiful postcard. Lily of the Valley grows wild here in Michigan. May Day bouquets are an old tradition here too.

Pat said...

So pretty. When I was a child, they were my favorite flower; used to find them in the woods. I haven't seen many for sale (or in the woods) here.

annies home said...

I love vintage postcards

Starman said...

That little girl is adorable. 1 May will be our 20eme anniversaire.

PeterParis said...

I hope you will recieve many of them!!

Beth Niquette said...

My Lilies of the Valley are just coming up, their blooms beginning to peep forth. They are so fragrant and beautiful. They also remind me of my Mum, who planted them in the garden. She transplanted them from the forest, where they often grew wild.

Your comment on my blog about the words "I Love you." Wow--and I do believe Marian's folks were German. Amidst a hodpodge of various nationalities, I am at least one quarter German.

They can be an austere people. How wonderful to be able to tell your Grandfather I love you for the first time in his life. What a privilege--and no wonder he just about had a heart attack. It must have meant so much to him.

Thank you for sharing that story. I have so enjoyed getting to know you!

Minky Moo said...

I've never seen Lily of the Valley before, beautiful! Thank you for stopping by my blog. I've been making my way through all the blogs on FMC and I adore yours. I love these cards. Just beautiful. I want one or two as prints for my home!!!

Aimee said...

I love Lilly of the valley!

Marie, I left you a little blogger award over on my blog!

Can't wait until PFF!

Brittany said...

Gorgeous bouquet!

Happy May Day!

Margo said...

very pretty! I wish little girls still dressed like that. I had a great Aunt Lily and now have Lily the labradoodle. No lily of the valley around here though. Happy May Day!

Clueless in Boston said...

Great tradition. I bet the men hate it as they are probably expected to remember to buy their wife a bouquet and hell to pay if they don't :)

Miri said...

Beautiful post card...love Lily of the Valley! Welcome to VTT!

Amy said...

oh yes I love that postcard, what a cute little girl and btw I am digging the way your comments are labelled "cool cats" lol that's cool and thanks for linking to me on facebook, always nice to meet another vintage friend :-)

Jan Ely said...

So sweet! Love that you host a "Postcard Friday!" will have to check it out!

CC said...

I love the bouquet..and I love Lily of the Valley. They're one of the older sweet flowers and remind my of my grandmother and her friends. Happy VTT..hope your weekend is most lovely.

Bea said...

I love the postcard. Thanks for the info on May Day. I don't know why I don't have lily of the valley as it is a shade flower and that is all of my yard. Need to get some planted.

Anonymous said...

Oh, such a lovely postcard there and such a sweet, angelic flower, Lily of the Valley. They are one of my favorites, I've got lots!

Ruby said...

Great post. Thanks. I've never seen lily of the valley here in the south US! Very pretty. Ruby

Mike said...

How cute!

Terry said...

Happy PFF Marie
A very Happy May Day to you !
I love Lilly's of the Valley .
They are so joyful so delightful.
Thank you for heading up this great adventure where so many can come togehter and enjoy the beauty,humor,and friendship of postcards around the globe.
Have a fantastic weekend.

Ms Dow Antiques said...

.
Marie - I love Lily of the Valley, and have many antique postcards in my collection with the lovely little fowers all over them.

I have worn Coty's Muguet des Bois as my signature scent since I was a teen. I adore the fragrance as much today, as when I first got a whiff, many (many) years ago.

Check out my many pretty May Day postcards on my blog - with some history of the traditions that surround the day.

Thanks for your fun posts -- Marianne Dow msdowantiques.com
.

QuixoticallyChaotic said...

What a lovely tradition! Thank you for visiting my blog! I could spend hours here, but I don't have time right now. :-( I'll be back!

sunnymama said...

What a beautiful postcard! They are such pretty flowers.

montreal florist said...

The girl and the bouqueut is really beautiful harmony. Gorgours!!