Valentine 1875 - 1880

"Valentine" is an anonymous, hand-colored, die-cut paper Valentine card from the 19th century. It features a young boy dressed in a pink coat and blue and white striped vest, holding a sword and a scroll that reads "For Cupid, I seek promotion having left Mars". The artwork is framed by a delicate pink lace border and is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The card is a humorous representation of a young man seeking a romantic partner. This Victorian era "Valentine" card is a charming example of the early development of the commercialized Valentine's Day card, making it a fascinating artifact for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike.