Valentine Card, "Mother," circa 1945

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 1945

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

89.492.1496

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Mrs. Harvey Firestone, Jr.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Net (Textile)

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 9.5 in
Width: 7.5 in

Inscriptions

Front: MOTHER | A Loving | Valentine | for You Inside: It's to bring you very special love | that this Valentine is sent | It's to let you know how | very much | YOUR love has always meant | It's to wish you health and happiness | From one day to another | It's to thank you, too, | for being such a really wonderful | MOTHER | [signed] Harvey
Valentine Card, "Mother," circa 1945