Valentine Card, "To a Student," 1925-1930

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

1925-1930

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2008.103.5

Credit

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

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Die cutting
Handwriting

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 5.25 in (irregular)
Width: 6.25 in (irregular)

Inscriptions

On small loose card in slit in center of valentine: ESSAY Chapter One: I like your style / ...Chapter Two...Chapter Three... friend that I could like until the end. Handwritten in ink on essay card: Marian Printed on front of cutout card: To A Student / Here's a Book that's full / o' knowledge/ You may have read it through ... / An essay just for You.