“In the First Blush of Spring”

A distant cousin to the dime store varieties of today, the valentines of past years were as elaborate as they were romantic.

Usually presenting a highly sentimental verse, they were often covered with lace, ribbons, feathers, dried flowers, silk, or delicate illustrations of couples, cupids, doves, and pastoral scenes.

Named after an early Christian martyr, Valentine Day became associated with the beginnings of spring, when a young man’s fancy turned to thoughts of love and birds began mating. The occasion was once one of expensive gift-giving, which later gave rise to love-tokens and finally to poetic letters.

During the mid-19th century a new assortment of valentines began to appear. They were not in the tradition of hearts and lovers. These comic versions were printed in both England and America and were available to consumers at low prices:

Also during this era “assembly lines” of young women were organized by enterprising shopkeepers to construct elegant valentines. One girl would cut out illustrations, another arrange the background, while still others added embellishments.

The valentine remains a favorite of children, young couples, and the young at heart who still exchange them every February 14. But the modern valentine is no match for its predecessor as one can see.