European Valentines

Valentine greetings and verses were popular as far back as the Middle Ages.  Lovers either spoke or sang to their valentines. 

Valentines began to pop up in written form after 1400. The first, written in 1415, was by a Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He  wrote romantic verses for his wife from the prison tower.  The oldest "valentine" now in existence is a poem written by Charles, and can be found in the British Library in London, England.  

Handmade paper valentines were especially popular in England. Early valentines were made with colored paper, watercolors, and colored inks.

During the 17th century, people made valentines using either original rhymes or sentimental poetry copied from booklets called "valentine writers."

In the early 1800's, valentines began to be produced in factories. These early manufactured valentines were quite simple- black and white pictures painted by the factory workers.  

But by the 1830's and 1840's valentines became fancy!  Made of fine papers and decorated with satin ribbons and lace,  they had pictures of, cupids, turtledoves, gold or silver lovers' knots, bow and arrows, and bleeding hearts. 

Here's a valentine verse from the 1840's:

During Victorian times, valentines were especially popular in England.  Hand-painted cupids, birds, flowers, hearts, and darts appeared on delicate lacey paper with chiffon, silk, satin, tulle, or lace. Novelty valentines included such items as a tiny mirror, an envelope, a puzzle, or a lock of hair. These cards were often scented with perfume, and penned with beautiful handwriting.

Mechanical valentines were first seen in the 1840's.  Figures or objects on the cards could be made to move by pulling a tab.  Some were elaborate honeycomb pop-outs or had other three-dimensional features.

During the early decades of the 19th century, purchased valentines became the most popular way to declare love.  These cards were lavish- usually hand painted and often decorated with laces, silk or satin, flowers made from the feathers of tropical birds, glass filigrees, gold-leaf and even perfumed sachets.

American Valentines

In the 1700's, The English brought the idea of exchanging Valentines to America.  Valentine writers produced booklets with verses and messages which could then be copied onto gilt-edged letter paper or other decorative sheets. One popular writer suggested not only "be my valentine" type verses for men to send, but also acceptance or "answers" for women to return.

Early American valentines were hand-made.  They sometimes were embroidered on fabric, and often had symbols we still see today- pictures of doves, hearts, flowers, or Cupid.

Printed valentines began in the early 1880's.  Stores sold paper featuring roses, Cupids, flowers, or beautiful women.  People then pasted the the pictures onto paper or paper lace and added their own messages.

By the early 1840's, printed valentines had become very popular.

During the Gay Nineties valentines were adorned with spun glass, mother-of-pearl, imitation jewels,  tassels, or silk fringe.  "Vinegar valentines" were funny valentines with unpleasant but humorous messages. 

Valentines for kids became popular in the early 1900's.  These cards often reflected popular sports or fads.

Today, school children usually celebrate St. Valentine's Day with a party at school. Before the party, they make decorated boxes with slots in the tops.  They bring their handmade or store bought valentines to school and distribute them to their classmates' Valentine's boxes during the party.

With the internet, cards have evolved even more.  Valentine e-cards are popular.  Many people browse the internet, looking for verses to use for their own handmade cards.  And customized valentine cards, romantic, fun, or humorous, can be ordered with uploaded photos and printed, personalized messages.   With the exception of Christmas, Americans send more greetings for Valentines Day than at any other time of the year.  With all the evolution, they are just as popular to give and as fun to get as ever!