Thou Art to Me More Lovely (valentine) c. 1850

This valentine was made by George Meek on folded paper. The card presents an intimate scale and the delicate lace pattern on the border immediately suggests themes of intricacy and fragility. The subdued palette of browns, greens, and creams, along with handwritten text, lend a personal, handmade quality to the piece. It seems to convey an authenticity not found in mechanically produced cards. We can decode this arrangement of flowers and text through a semiotic lens. The tulip is centrally placed with an accompanying inscription, functioning as signs of love and admiration. The poem’s reference to the evening star suggests a comparison to the recipient and elevates the beloved to something celestial and rare. Note the handwritten element, which underscores the gesture of the card. It suggests that the act of creation is as meaningful as the message itself. This is a token of affection intended to convey personal sentiments through both image and text.