My favorities:
I must have over 200 handkerchiefs in my collection by now, I first collected them as inexpensive references for design ideas. Though some really show wear and tear, they must have been really hardworking in fulfilling their duties and have spent time with the owner.

1.Round clock
A round handkerchief becomes the face of a clock, very Dali!
1950s. Not easy to do scallop edging around a circumference.

2.Atlantic city embroidery
It is refreshing to see fine embroidery applied humourously. Here each alphabet is created by a few accurate stitches. I am particularly delighted to find the swimmer.

3.Sampler embroidery
I have a group of handkerchiefs which look like first practices for needlework. Odd simple applique shapes and colours make them looks like modern art.

4.Calorie Counting
A very decorative vintage handkerchief reflecting the American preoccupation with slimness in the 50s. One could send away to magazines like Harper's Bazaar for handkerchiefs printed with exercises and diet menu then.

5.Tokyo Map
Handkerchiefs are very suitable medium to print maps, there is no fear of rain or tear, and fits perfectly in your pocket. Here is a map of Tokyo. It is possible to date it by checking which new important architectures are not depicted.

6. Children's Boxed Hankie
A set of 7 children's handkerchief in the original box and never used. The box has copyright date of 1921 imprinted in the upper left corner. The box is titled: "A Child's Handkerchief for Every Day In The Week". They are very small and delicate, must be for a well-behaved child.

7. A Red Vintage Starfish - pleating enables a square piece of cloth to transform into a starfish, very Issey Miyake

8. Hankibrella
A pretty handkerchief, a pencil, and some ribbon, makes a hankibrella. A popular party favour and a Christmas gift in 1940s America.

9. Dogs
Pets and animals are favourite subjects on handkerchiefs, some are printed or embroidered very realistically. Here is a stylized one, printed with a stiff bronze colour.

10 .Floral
Handkerchiefs with floral prints and dynamic borders were popular in the 1950s. They made cute additions to breast pockets on uniforms worn by nurses, technicians, beauty operators and waitresses. Their unusual colour combination and bold image make them one of a kind and calls for attention.

11.Prayer Doll
During the early American years, little girls were given these dolls to take to church with them and if they dropped them no sound would be heard to disturb the congregation.
As time past more dolls and larger dolls were being made. The other dolls that were made at this early age were the pillow case doll and the pioneer doll. Best thing I think is that you can chew on it, and can be laundered.

12. Horoscope
A 1950's hankie, a guide to carry around to check on different characters!

13. Newborn's bonnet
This on loan from a friend. Her son's bonnet made by Grandma, from a handkerchief with fine lace belonging to Great Grandmother(Contesy of Norrie Peel). It comes with this note:

I'm just a little handkerchief,
Quite square as you can see,
But with a stitch or two they made
A bonnet out of me.

I'll be worn home from the hospital,
Or on the Christening day,
Then neatly pressed and folded
I'll be carefully packed away.

On her wedding day a bride must have
Traditionally something old,
Good luck, good health and happiness
It brings her, so it's told.
And what could be more pleasant
Than to unpack little me
To snip a stitch or two and find
Her handkerchief I'll be.

And I'm first worn by a boy,
He'll surely someday wed.
Then he can give his lovely bride
The hankie once worn on his head.

14. Calendar
Could not quite figure out the practicality of carrying a cloth calendar around, but it must have boost sales, you will have to get new one each year.