Valentine's Day Cards Collection

A holiday for love was welcomed as a festive excuse for romantic indulgence among every stratum of society. The tradition was enhanced by the evolution of paper valentines that were increasingly available to a very receptive audience. As a result of numerous advances in printing and paper-making techniques and the development of an efficient and inexpensive means of postal delivery, the holiday reached its pinnacle by the mid-19th century. The availability of a vast variety of valentines, at every price, expanded and democratized the observation of the holiday. There were satiric or caustic products for a certain audience and amorous ones for traditional romantics. The competition between English valentine manufacturers resulted in the creation of a wide range of exquisite offerings using engraving, lithography, and cameo-embossed lace paper. Businesses profited from their enormous popularity, which further encouraged the ascent of the most popular holiday.

Rosin, Nancy. “Fount of the Heart: The Edna Crockett Valentines,” Gilcrease: The Journal of Gilcrease Museum Vol. XX, no. 2 (Fall 2013): 4-25.

22 Items

[2-layer Multi-Color Floral Valentine]

2-layer valentine. Base layer blue white and gold; front layer green and pink with pink floral border, gold filigree surrounding purple boquet. Inside: 2 birds with "Love's Question. I send a question to thee, dear, each morning by the lark; and every night the nightingale, Brings answer ere the dark. The question needs no other words and this is the reply - 'Ill love the, dearest, while I live, and bless thee if I die."

["Your life be bright" Hands holding Florals with Landscape Valentine]

Valentine with hands holding floral frame around landscape with "Your life be bright" in front of pink florals (peonies?). Underneath "Mor. Banny Norris"

["Your life be bright" 2 Birds with Peonies Valentine]

Valentine with hand holding basket of peonies with 2 birds and note that says "Your life be bright". Inside: "Rheua Gump"

[3-layer Couple with Pink and Blue Florals Valentine to Edna from Marcia]

3-layer valentine. Base layer tan and yellow; middle layer white with pink and blue florals and gold leaves surroundning a couple; front layer white filigree with red rose and small man. Inside: man climbing tower to reach woman and hand her a letter with "Cupid's messenders to-day take love's tidings everywhere: Birds and flowers and human hearts breate the magic love-filled air. What then can I say or do but think of, wait for, trust in you." On back "To Edna from Marcia." Gilcrease Journal Vol. XX no. 2 Fall 2013 pg 22 notes this as manufactured by the George Whitney Company, Worcester, MA, and claims it was identified by comparing it to a similar signed version. No company marking is present on this copy.

[Pink Heart with White Rose Valentine]

Pink and silver heart shaped valentine with white rose at center. Inside: drawing of a woman with text "I send you Love a line, I'll be your Valentine."

[Blue and Gold with Pink Roses Valentine]

Blue, white and gold with pink roses in center valentine. Inside: floral sketch with "Thou art all the world, to this heart of mine, my life, my hopes, my vows all thine; am I nothing to thee but a valentine."

["True to Thee" Pansy Valentine]

Blue, gold, and white valentine. In center: blue, purple, and yellow pansies, note "True to Thee". Inside: print of boy and girl with poem, "Dear little friend, I send you here with heart sincere, a loving line; and it will be a joy to me, to get from you a Valentine."

[Pink and Gold with Butterfly Valentine]

Pink, white, and gold valentine with butterfly and florals in center (snowdrops and pansies?). Inside: sketch of two birds and florals on branch (dogwood?) with "My lips need not say it, already you know, I love you, I love you, it will always be so."

[Pink and Silver with Birds Valentine]

Pink, white, and silver valentine with two birds in center. Inside: sketch of bird with "So strong's the flame of love for thee that in my heart doth burn, this world to me were paradise dids't tho but love me in return."

["With affection and regard" Cupid riding a Swan Valentine]

Pink and gold valentine. On front: "With affection and regard" and Cupid with swan on a leash. Inside: boy holding banner with "Never, O' never doubt my true heart..."

[Pink and Gold with Child holding Bouquet and Letter Valentine]

Gold and pink valentine with child holding bouquet and letter. Inside: sketch of flowers (poppies?) with "Lo! at thy feet I lie - I am all thine. One smile do not deny Thy Valentine." On back "Edna" and "E. L."

[3-layer Old Mill Wheel Valentine]

3-layer valentine. Base layer pink and light blue; middle layer old mill wheel with ice; front layer white filigree over blue landscape with butterfly and small building. Inside: child playing guitar with "All my best wishes are for you; as true as fond, :::::: As fond as true."

[Blue and Silver with Pink Peonies Valentine]

Blue and silver with pink peonies in center valentine. Inside: sketch of birds with "I send you, love, a line, I'll be your Valentine, if you'll be mine. Oh! then how sweet 'twill be, to know, thou lovest me - What bliss devine!" On back "Edna Crocket"

[3-layer Multi-Color Floral Valentine]

3-layer valentine. Base layer gold and white; middle layer pink and yellow flowers on light blue background; front layer tan with muli-color floral bouquet glued on. Inside: image of church in countryside with "O Tell me how to woo thee love, He sang and wandered by; 'My queen thou art, O dearest heart, No other love have I.' She softly laughed, he turned his head, She wispered soft and low: 'If so you love me,' sweetheart said, 'Why don't you tell me so?'" On back, "Edna Crockett"

[Gold and Blue with Pink Rose Valentine]

Gold, blue, and white valentine with pink rose in center. Inside: floral sketch (poppies?) with "Lo! at they feet I lie - I am all thine. One smile do not deny thy Valentine."

[Silver and Gold with 2 Children Valentine]

Silver, gold, and white valentine with 2 children in center. Inside: sketch of building and bird holding letter with "The love that is true love can never depart, but will spring ever new from the front of the heart, and such is the love, fond, faithful, and pure, that for you I shall cherish, while life shall endure."

Sweet Melodies by James Russell Lowell

Sweet Melodies by James Russell Lowel booklet. Cover has floral background with fan and an image of building in the snow. Inside: multi-page poem. On back "O. L."

[Gold "Love to be holy, must be pure" Valentine]

Gold filigree valentine with couple at fountain and "Love to be holy, must be pure" in center.

[Red and Gold with Roses around Woman Valentine]

Gold, red, white, and tan valentine with red, white, and pink roses surrounding image of a woman. Inside: florals with "The blush of the morn, the stars of the night, everything lovely, and holy, and bright, Speaks to my heart, O dear one! of thee; Sunlight and starlight Thou art unto me"

[Blue, Red, and Gold with Red Rose Valentine]

Blue, red, and gold valentine with red rose in center. Inside: florals with "The blush of the morn, the stars of the night, everything lovely, and holy, and bright, Speaks to my heart, O dear one! of thee; Sunlight and starlight thou art unto me". With "Harry" on back.

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