Here are a few vintage valentines from my collection. I really like these 3D ones from the early 1900s. The larger mid-century one has a hinged head. I also have quite a few early 1900s postcard-style valentines. I love reading the inscriptions in them and thinking about what those people were like and if they are still alive. Did Garth and Mary Lou grow up and get married? Did Ward go visit his Auntie? I’d love to know.
The valentine on the left says “Be My Valentine” on the bottom. When it lays flat, this part is easily read from the front. It folds up in front of the girls. The front piece on the right has folded down, making a window with the girl looking inside the blacksmith shop. The poem is interesting. Is this valentine asking for forgiveness? Or for their Valentine to come back?
These are from later in the 1900s. The one on the left is dated 1948. The middle one has a hinged head that moves, and the one on the right opens as shown below.
This postcard-style valentine was postmarked February 4, 1918. I like this style, too, and have found several with distinctive features like puffed hearts and cutout details. Most have some sort of note on the back.
I had Valentine’s Day food posts planned for you, but this snow storm and freezing weather is hitting our poor Texas ranch hard. The pump in our well froze a few days ago and we used the last of the water in our storage tank yesterday, so cooking and washing dishes is out of the question until everything thaws. This isn’t our first rodeo, though, so we were prepared! We have water for drinking and flushing toilets, so it’s not as bad as it might sound. Coming from Colorado, I’m no stranger to snow, but I will be glad when everything thaws! Stay safe wherever you are in the world and have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
History in the Kitchen 