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I found this extensive history of Vintage Valentine's Day Cards- and I thought that some of you may be interested. (NOTE: This is NOT the history of the holiday itself- merely a documentation of the Valentine's Day Greeting Card History.) However, I do plan on doing a post about the historical roots of the modern holiday and it's earlier Pagan predecesors. If anyone is interested, I will be posting that on my other blog-
Crafty's Cuppa Coffee. There will also be plenty of other fun Valentine's Day & Love related material there as well; such as crafts, love spells and recipies. So feel free to follow the link and visit me there
.~Danae, aka 'Crafty'*
European Valentine's Day History
A young Frenchman, Charles, Duke of Orleans, was one of the earliest creators of Valentines, called "poetical or amorous addresses." From his confinement in the Tower of London after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, he sent several poems or rhymed love letters or "valentines" to his wife in France. During the fifteenth century, one valentine showed a drawing of a knight and a lady, with Cupid in the act of sending an arrow to pierce the knight's heart. During the seventeenth century people made their own valentines using original verse or poems copied from booklets with appropriate verse.
The English attitude toward St. Valentine's Day in the middle of the eighteenth century is summed up in this verse printed in Poor Robin's Almanac in 1757: This month bright Phoebus enters Pisces, The maids will have good store of kisses, For always when the fun comes there, Valentine's Day is drawing near, And both the men and maids incline To chuse them each a Valentine; And if a man gets one he loves, He gives her first a pair of gloves; And, by the way, remember this, To seal the favour with a kiss. This kiss begets more love, and then That love begets a kiss again, Until this trade the man doth catch, And then he doth propose the match, The woman's willing, tho' she's shy, She gives the man this soft reply,"I'll not resolve one thing or other, Until I first consult my mother. "When she says so, 'tis half a grant, And may be taken for consent. Turtle Doves and Love Birds "Oft have I heard both youth and virgin sayBirds choose their mates, and couples too, this day; But by their flight I never can divine, When I shall couple with my Valentine. "Herrick It was thought that birds chose their mate for the year on February 14. Doves and pigeons mate for life and therefore were used as a symbol of "fidelity."
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The first commercial valentine appeared circa 1800 and were rather simplistic. But by the 1830's and 1840's Valentines contained delicate and artistic messages. Valentines made of fine papers and decorated with satin, ribbon, or lace commanded high prices. They had pictures of turtledoves, lovers' knots in gold or silver, bow and arrows, cupids, and bleeding hearts. All of these symbols have become associated with love and lovers.
In the 1840's the first mechanical valentines were introduced. By pulling a tab, a figure or object on the card could be made to move. Some had elaborate honeycomb pop-outs or various other three-dimensional features. In the 1840's messages on early valentines included: "Love" "I fondly, truly love thee." "Love protects" "My orb of day departs with thee." I love thee! Oh! I love thee! Dearer art thou than life. I love thee! I love thee! Say, wilt thou be my wife?" 'This Valentine's Day, to the church let's away; No longer I'll wait, let us marry. You promised, dear maid, that you would be mine, If I, till today, would tarry.
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American Valentines
American valentines began to grow with the import from England of valentine "writers." A writer was a booklet containing a vast array of verses and messages which could be copied onto gilt-edged letter paper or other decorative sheets. One popular writer contained not only "be my valentine" typeverses for men to send, but also acceptance or "answers" which women could return. Here is an example: Valentine A short time since I danc'd with you, And from that hour lov'd you true; Your pleasing form, your charming air, Might with a fabl'd grace compare; Your accents, so melodious sweet, Still on my ear does seem to beat; And 'tis the first wish of my life, To win my Delia for a wife; Deign, my sweet maid, a line to send, And may love's saint my plea defend. Answer Your Valentine is very kind, Nor did a cool reception find; Your company gave me delight, When I danced with you t'other night; Then mutually we did incline, Our hearts to love, my Valentine.
From then on, Valentines became less artistic and overornamented. During the Gay Nineties they were adorned with garish spun glass, mother-of-pearl, imitation jewels, or silk fringe. Proof of the less attractive, cheap-lookingvalentine is seen in the "vinegar valentine." John McLaughlin, a New York printer, created these comic valentines that were printed on cheap paper in crude colors. His messages made fun of old maids, teachers, and others. Comic designs done in 1870 by the American cartoonist Charles Howard were called "penny dreadfuls"--a perfect name for them because they sold for a penny and the designs were dreadful.
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The first U.S. made valentines were crafted by a Mount Holyoke College student, Miss Esther Howland. Her father, a stationer in Worcester, MA, imported valentines every year from England. Esther, however, decided to create her own valentine messages. Around 1830 she began importing lace, fine papers, and other supplies for her valentines. She employed several assistants and her brothers helped market her "Worcester" valentines. As one of our first successful U.S. career women her sales amounted to about a hundred thousand dollars annually--not bad for the 1830's.
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In our century we've seen a change from the heavy sentimentality of earlier days to what can best be described as a light touch. Nowadays a valentine usually accompanies a more elaborate gift of candy, flowers, perfume, etc. American school children usually celebrate St. Valentine's Day with a party at school. Prior to the party the children make a decorated box with a slot in the top. During the party the children distribute valentines to their classmates' Valentine's Box. Valentine cards are manufactured on an enormous scale today that range from the sentimental to sophisticated to humous valentines. There is a valentine for everyone--sweetheart, spouse, children, parents, teacher and even your pet! In terms of the number of greeting cards sent, Valentine's Day ranks second only to Christmas.
Is she not a doll, or what?!? 
Well Friends, this is the last in the series of 3 paper dolls I had to share with you- for now anyways! (Isn't she a cutie?!?) I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for some more to share in the future. As with the others, just left click on the image to veiw and copy it in its full size. Print it out for traditional uses, or ue in your altered art projects.
This Vintage Valentine appears to be circa 1930's. 
I have a whole month's worth of fun vintage Valentine' Card images to share with you here on Crafty's Retro Fantasy. These are great fun just to look at, but you may also copy them for your own personal use.
~Danae <(:o) aka 'Crafty'
And then yesterday I discovered that I won The Tome Of Ill Wonder from GrimVisions Ghastly 2009 Halloween Giveaway. Woohoo! This is cool for me on two levels...The first is because of me being stuck at home healing from my broken knee, I have not been able pick up any new Halloween Goodies for my house this year. (Also, due to the injury, moneys been a little tight.) So winning these prizes is a happy surprise!
The top image is an early 194o's cover from Film Magazine. And this second image is a circa 1940's Post Card image that comes from Scandinavia.
Hello Everyone! I have some lovely Vintage Hallween Post Card Images to share with you all today. I LOVE Halloween- and I LOVE Vintage Art- so I spend a good deal of ime throughout the year hunting down coyright free images to use on my Blogs, and in my arts & crafts. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I have. 
These images are early twentieth century, prior to 1920. (The top and bottom images were circa 1910 I think.) 
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The Queen of, 
And we thought today's kids were fast! No wonder we've had generation after generation of smokers! 
