Valentine 1845 - 1865

This ornate Valentine was crafted by an anonymous maker with paper and other materials. It's difficult to put a precise date on this card, but its embossed details, gold trim, and classical figures resonate with the Victorian era in the United States. Valentine’s Day became a popular holiday during the 19th century, and the production of cards like this one became industrialized. The design blends religious and classical imagery: the cherubs, the kissing couple, the classical statue, and the floral arrangements all speak to the values of love and beauty that were celebrated in Victorian culture. Notice the text layered beneath the decorative elements; this suggests the incorporation of printed materials into handmade crafts, indicative of changing modes of production and consumption at that time. To learn more about the visual culture of the Victorian era and the history of Valentine’s Day, you can consult a range of archival sources and museum collections. By exploring the social and material context of this card, we can gain a richer understanding of its cultural significance.