Valentine Card, "May I Come into the Garden of Your Heart?," circa 1925

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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

circa 1925

Subject Date

circa 1925

Place of Creation

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2008.103.7

Credit

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

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Die cutting
Embossing (Technique)
Handwriting

Color

Multicolored
Red

Dimensions

Height: 6 in (irregular)
Width: 3.75 in (irregular)

Inscriptions

On red heart on upper right corner: May I come / into the / Garden / of / your (heart shape)? Handwritten in ink on back: Miss Fredlund / From Amelia / Edison Printed on lower front of card bottom: Valentine Greeting On lower center back: Made in U.S.A.
Valentine Card, "May I Come into the Garden of Your Heart?," circa 1925