Three-Dimensional Valentine, "To My Valentine," circa 1900

Summary

The custom of sending messages of affection on February 14 dates back to Roman times, when mid-February was a time to meet and court prospective mates. The earliest American valentines were labors of love, handmade by the sender. The spread of commercially produced valentines in the second half of the nineteenth century made sending and receiving Valentine's Day cards a more lighthearted activity.

The custom of sending messages of affection on February 14 dates back to Roman times, when mid-February was a time to meet and court prospective mates. The earliest American valentines were labors of love, handmade by the sender. The spread of commercially produced valentines in the second half of the nineteenth century made sending and receiving Valentine's Day cards a more lighthearted activity.

Artifact

Valentine

Date Made

circa 1900

Creators

Unknown

Place of Creation

Germany 

Collection Title

Greeting Card Collection 

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

79.49.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard
Crepe paper
Gilding (Material)

Technique

Printing (Process)
Embossing (Technique)
Die cutting

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 9.125 in  (folded out)

Width: 5.75 in  (folded out)

Depth: 3 in  (folded out)

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