Search
- Comic Valentine, "The Boarding-House Keeper," circa 1885 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1885
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine, "The Boarding-House Keeper," circa 1885
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Comic Valentine, "Extremes," circa 1890 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine, "Extremes," circa 1890
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Comic Valentine, "A Swell Head," circa 1855 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1855
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine, "A Swell Head," circa 1855
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Comic Valentine for a Marksman, circa 1855 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1855
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine for a Marksman, circa 1855
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Packaging for Comic Valentines Made by McLoughlin Bros., "New Pedestals, No. 17," circa 1905 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1905
- Collections - Artifact
Packaging for Comic Valentines Made by McLoughlin Bros., "New Pedestals, No. 17," circa 1905
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Comic Valentine, "A Political Scamp," circa 1890 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1890
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine, "A Political Scamp," circa 1890
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Comic Valentine, "Book-Keeper," circa 1855 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1855
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine, "Book-Keeper," circa 1855
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Comic Valentine, "To an Elderly Wheelwoman," circa 1895 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine, "To an Elderly Wheelwoman," circa 1895
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Comic Valentine, "A Beau on the Ice You Will Never Entice," circa 1895 - From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.

- circa 1895
- Collections - Artifact
Comic Valentine, "A Beau on the Ice You Will Never Entice," circa 1895
From the 1840s into the early 1900s, some people sent inexpensive Valentine's Day greetings that chided, warned, or insulted the recipient. An exaggerated, often garish cartoon and short verse described and dismissed someone's looks, intelligence, personality, or behavior. Within the atmosphere of a festive holiday, under the cover of humor, these "vinegar valentines" were acceptable critiques of behaviors that deviated from social norms.
- Catalog of Valentines for 1882, McLoughlin Brothers, 1882 - Throughout the second half of the nineteenth century, family members and sweethearts commonly exchanged Valentine's Day greetings. Typical valentines were frilly and often depicted cherubs, birds, or flower garlands. This eye-catching catalog lists a range of valentines offered by the McLoughlin Bros. publishing firm for 1882.

- 1882
- Collections - Artifact
Catalog of Valentines for 1882, McLoughlin Brothers, 1882
Throughout the second half of the nineteenth century, family members and sweethearts commonly exchanged Valentine's Day greetings. Typical valentines were frilly and often depicted cherubs, birds, or flower garlands. This eye-catching catalog lists a range of valentines offered by the McLoughlin Bros. publishing firm for 1882.