Women Always Bright" -- Late 18th Cent. German Greeting Card with Printed Silk Inset Message

Germany, 1797. Good. Water staining, light dust soiling, stainign and wear to verso.. An elegantly designed early example of a greeting card, made from a hand-colored lithograph, small metallic scrap, printed silk visible beneath a cut flap, and a small printed ribbon. The image depicts a woman in classical garb handing the printed ribbon to a winged putto. The ribbon reads, "weibe immer helle" (roughly "women always bright"). When the flap is lifted, the message inside reads (again, roughly): "May love always stand with you in a firm bond, beautifully entwined with flowers every hour...". Measures approx. 4.25" by 3.5". Early ink gift inscription to verso.