Bird-Shaped Valentine Card, "To Virginia from Margaret," February 1920

THF120453 / Bird-Shaped Valentine Card, "To Virginia from Margaret," February 1920
01

Artifact Overview

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 Details

Artifact

Valentine

Date Made

February 1920

Subject Date

February 1920

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2008.103.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Virginia Kent Graybill

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Ribbon (Material)

Technique

Die cutting
Handwriting

Color

Blue
Multicolored
Red

Dimensions

Height: 5.5 in (irregular)
Width: 2.5 in (irregular)

Inscriptions

Handwritten in pencil on back: Feb. 1920 / To Virginia / from Margaret