Valentines of the mid-19th and early 20th centuries

Esther Howland Valentine, circa 1850: "Weddings now are all the go, Will you marry me or no"	Handwritten poem, "To Susanna" dated Valentine's Day, 1850 (Cork, Ireland)	Comic Valentine, mid-19th century: "R stands for rod, which can give a smart crack, And ought to be used For a day on your back."	Valentine card, 1862: "My dearest Miss, I send thee a kiss"
Folk art Valentine and envelope dated 1875 addressed to Clara Dunn of Newfield, New Jersey	Whitney Valentine, 1887; Howland sold her New England Valentine Company to the George C. Whitney Company in 1881	Seascape Valentine, date unknown	Vinegar Valentine, circa 1900

Postcards, "pop-ups", and mechanical Valentines, circa 1900-1930

Buster Brown Valentine postcard by Richard Felton Outcault, early years of 20th century	Postcard by Nister, circa 1906	Valentine postcard, circa 1900-1910	"Pop-ups" create a three-dimensional effect when opened, circa 1900
A tiny 2-inch pop-up Valentine, circa 1920	Football-playing Disney-like rat and bulldog are set in motion by the pull-tab on the right, circa 1920	A grommet affixed to the center of the card permits the dog's eyes to glance side-to-side when the blue bow is moved	Rocking horse and rider, circa 1920-1930

Black Americana and children's Valentines

Postcard, 1906	Raphael Tuck Valentine by Frances Brundage, circa 1910	Black Americana Valentine, circa 1940	Children's Valentine in somewhat questionable taste, 1940-1950
Anthropomorphic Valentine, circa 1950-1960