Fold-Out Valentine Card, "Valentine Greetings," February 14, 1920

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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

14 February 1920

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2008.103.3

Credit

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

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Die cutting
Handwriting

Color

Multicolored
Red

Dimensions

Height: 4 in (irregular)
Width: 2.75 in (irregular)

Inscriptions

Heart reads VALENTINE GREETINGS on the top of the foldout front. Mailbox behind it reads TO MY VALENTINE Bottom flap reads: TO MY VALENTINE / THIS LITTLE TOKEN, LET THY LOVE COMBINE / WITH MINE, MY ONLY CHOSEN VALENTINE Handwritten in pencil on back: To Virginia / From Dorothy / Feb 14, 1920
Fold-Out Valentine Card, "Valentine Greetings," February 14, 1920