Three Dimensional Valentine, "My Valentine with Charms so Sweet, I Lay this Offering at your Feet," circa 1925

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

circa 1925

Subject Date

circa 1925

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2008.103.8

Credit

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

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Die cutting
Handwriting
Printing (Process)

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 8.5 in (irregular)
Width: 3.5 in (irregular)

Inscriptions

On card held out by a hand in the center: My Valentine / with charms so / sweet / I lay this / offering at your feet Handwritten in ink on back: To Miss Fredlund / from / Chester Karney