Time Has Little Effect On Valentine Sentiments

Old Cards Displayed:

Time Has Little Effect On Valentine Sentiments

YPSILANTI—Few basic changes have occurred in valentines during the past 100 years and more, a group of antique Valentines on display in the window of a local office-supply store indicate.

Although cards manufactured in commemoration of St. Valentine’s Day in the second half of the 19th century often were ornate in the Victorian style of the period, their sentiments were the same as today. There even were comic and “slam” Valentine cards then, as now.

Some In Color

All the cards on display here were printed on hand presses, and many of them are in color. Some have lace-work perforations in them.

Those illustrated are (upper left) an English comic valentine from the period 1860-80. The text on the front of the card reads: “I’m the king of swinkee swankee and I'm pretty well I thankee.” The card was printed by Jonathan King of London.

An ornate American valentine (upper right) of the period 1870-80 was made by an unknown printer.

The smaller card (middle left) also is American, made by Whitney, of Worchester, Mass., in the period 1870-90.

‘Cure For Love’

The large card (lower left) is a “slam” card, printed by Marks & Sons of London in the period 1830-50. It is entitled “cure for love.”

The text of the card reads “one end of a rope fasten over a beam, and make a slip noose at the other extreem, then just underneath let a cricket be set, on which the lover must manfully get, then over ’is head let the snicket be got, and under one ear be well settled the knot then kick down the cricket, and take a fair swing, and leave all the rest of the work to the string."

A “cricket” is a small three-legged stool.

The cards, 24 of which are on display in the window of the Marsh Office Supply Co., Inc., at 22 N. Washington St. here, are from a collection of 40,000 old-fashioned Valentine cards owned by the Hallmark Greeting Card Co. They will be on display through Feb. 6.