Valentine 1845 - 1875

This small Valentine card was made in the United States in the late nineteenth century by Esther Howland, an entrepreneur who industrialized the production of these cards. Its motifs and composition offer a glimpse into the Victorian era’s romantic ideals and its burgeoning consumer culture. The card is decorated with embossed paper lace, and it features figures and scenes associated with courtship and love. On the left, we see a troubadour serenading his beloved, while on the right, two children exchange gifts. The word "Hope" at the top suggests optimism and the promise of a happy future, reflecting the values of the time. Howland's mass production of Valentine cards allowed for wider participation in romantic expression, but the cards also reinforced social norms related to gender, courtship, and domesticity. To fully understand the social significance of these cards, we can consult historical archives, conduct material culture studies, and analyze the business practices of companies like Howland’s. Ultimately, this Valentine reminds us that art and sentiment are always shaped by the social and economic forces of their time.