Heart
Jane Welsh Carlyle (1801 - 1866)
Category
Manuscripts and documents
Date
1821 - 1824
Materials
Paper
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Carlyle's House, London
NT 263321
Summary
A paper heart, made by Jane Welsh, and typed excerpts from letters between Thomas Carlyle and Jane Welsh before their marriage, mounted on paper, before 1824.
Full description
The paper heart is inscribed 'Homeless' on one side in Jane's handwriting, and on the other 'Hers', in unknown handwriting. Mounted underneath the heart are typed extracts. These extracts are described in handwritten script as 'Old proofsheets'. The first is from a letter from Thomas to Jane, dated 15 November 1824, in which he described finding the heart in his papers while living in Southampton Street, Islington, London. The second is from Jane to Thomas, dated 18 November 1824, claiming 'The Heart was mine I remember writing the word upon it one night when I was very melancholy; but how it got into your desk I cannot divine...' Handwritten annotations on the mount paper are initialled A. C., probably Alexander Carlyle, Thomas' nephew. The paper heart has long been interpreted as a love token from Jane to Thomas before their marriage in 1826. However, the letters concerning the item (in Volume 3, 1824 - 25) suggest otherwise, as Thomas appears to have come across the heart unexpectedly, and Jane's response does not suggest that she intended it to be found by him. The word 'Homeless' might suggest instead that her love was uncertain at the time of its creation.
Provenance
Made by Jane Carlyle. Passed by descent to the previous owners, the Harland family. Purchased by the National Trust in 2022.
Marks and inscriptions
On mount paper: This is the identical paper heart mentioned in the "Love Letters" ii. 38 + 41. The word "homeless" is written on the other side in Miss Welsh's hand. The desk mentioned by Carlyle is now at the Arched House, Ecclefechan. A.C. On heart: London 9ber [November] 1824 Hers [underlined] ? or !
Makers and roles
Jane Welsh Carlyle (1801 - 1866) , maker
References
Ashton 2002: Rosemary Ashton, Thomas and Jane Carlyle: Portrait of a Marriage (2002), Chatto & Windus Carlyle 2023: Carlyle Letters Online (Duke University Press), 2023. https://carlyleletters.dukeupress.edu