“In the First Blush of Spring”

In the first blush of Spring

To my dearest I bring

The homage that lovers should pay

For the riches of Youth,

Are affection and truth,

The tribute I offer today.

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:

Tis all in vain your simpering looks:

You never can incline,

With all your bustles, stays, and curls,

To find a Valentine.

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.

Valentines courtesy of Piet Bons; photographed by Jed Clark

Embossed paper was commonly used beginning in the mid-18th century, but lace paper of a delicate nature did not gain wide use for another 100 years

A simple knot of “Forget Me Not” decorates this English valentine made between 1860 and 1880

Called a layered valentine, this 1860 English version is a composite of paper, ribbons, grass, and dried flowers

Made by the English firm of Raphael Tuck and Sons, these paper doll valentines were popular when manufactured in 1903

This valentine, also a 1903 Raphael Tuck, opens to a fold-up scene of men and women dancing

Another from the firm of Raphael Tuck, this matching set has been framed by their owner. The firm’s huge collection of cards was destroyed during World War II bombing raids

A carry-over from the middle ages when Valentine Day was associated with springtime and birds’ mating, this valentine and others like it find their way into private collections and museums

Flowers have continued to be as popular on Valentine Day as they were during the 19th century when this card was manufactured

Another in the paper doll variety portrays a young man bearing a gift of doves as a token of love

This English valentine manufactured between 1860 and 1880 was typical of the delicate lace versions circulating throughout both America and Great Britain