Victorian Valentine cards were flat paper sheets, often printed with colored illustrations and embossed borders. The sheets, when folded and sealed with wax, could be mailed. In 1837, a government postal official named Rowland Hill published a seminal pamphlet: Post Office Reform; Its Importance and Practicability . Valentine’s Day History . Robert McNamara, and expert in 19th century history relates that St. Valentine’s Day celebrations date back to at least the Middle ages when the day was observed as Choose Your Romantic Partner Day “because it was believed that birds began mating on that day.” (McNamara “History of St. The overall theme for Victorian Valentine’s card was maximalism. The more gaudy, tacky, or over-the-top embellishments a card had the bigger your declaration of love. From lace doilies to paintings, pressed flowers, and even a dead canary : there was no limit to what the Victorians would use to get their romantic point across. In the Victorian era, and into the 20th century, lovers exchanged elaborate lace-trimmed cards on Valentine’s Day, expressing their undying love and devotion with sentiments and poems.For those Valentine's Day, a celebration of love and affection, has seen its customs and traditions evolve remarkably over the centuries. One of the most enchanting eras of Valentine's Day history in the United States is undoubtedly the Victorian period, a time when the practice of exchanging Valentine's Day cards flourished with a unique blend of elegance, creativity, and sometimes, delightful Late Victorian Era Valentine’s Day. “During the late nineteenth century, the occasion of St. Valentine’s Day was a chance for novelty in entertaining. Valentine’s Day party ideas such as luncheons, teas, socials and fancy dress functions of all sorts were easily and artistically arranged with flowers, hearts, darts and cupids. St. Valentine's Day, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1880) When this article was written, Valentines were still popular in Victorian Britain, but seemed to be tapering off. Valentines, by Ardern Holt (Girl's Own Paper, 1882) On some of the variations of Valentine customs to be found throughout Victorian Britain. St. Valentine’s Day largely promoted the exchange of sentiment and demonstrations of affectionate goodwill, and Victorian valentines were often sent to family and friends as well as to lovers. The playful language and visual opulence of the valentine, however, could also conceal a lack of authentic emotion. Victorian Valentine, Be Mine. Last Updated on February 13, 2022. Valentine’s Day cards in the form of poems and notes were exchanged long before the Victorian era, but the introduction of the Penny Post in 1840 in Great Britain meant that the common man – and woman – could afford to send them through the mail. Chocolates too, thank goodness, also became a huge Valentine’s Day tradition during the Victorian period. Richard Cadbury (1833-1899), the heir of the chocolate empire, is credited with creating the first heart-shaped box for Valentine’s chocolates. Jan 31, 2024 - Looking to make a Victorian puzzle purse for Valentine's Day? We made a printable that you can download, print off, and fold yourself. Home > Victorian Valentines. Victorian Valentines. Published in the illustrated newspaper Harper’s Weekly on February 22, 1868, Winslow Homer’s “St. Valentine’s Day - The Old Story in All Lands” equates the modern practice of sending and receiving valentines with the myth of eternal love. The illustration is a compilation of lovers Complete your Valentine's Day look with red and pink accessories. From keychains to bags, our accessories have a lot of personality. For Valentine's Day 2025, we brought new colors of your go-to sling bag with keychain wallets and socks to match. Beauty that Shimmers and Shines . PINK's signature beauty adds a touch of shimmer or shine to your the morning of st valentine's day, young man giving a flower to his girlfriend, victorian romance, 1880s, 19th century - victorian valentines stock illustrations The Morning of St Valentine's day, Young man giving a flower to his girlfriend, Victorian Romance, 1880s, 19th Century Shop our Sexy Valentine's Panties collection to find your perfect look. Only at Victoria's Secret. Valentine's Day in the Victorian Era was exactly how you might expect - over-the-top! With lace, bits of glass and mirrors, glitter, silk flowers, seashells, seeds, ribbons, bows, and silver-foil appliqués these cards were fanciful and fun. Learn how to make your own homemade Victorian Valentine's D How to make a Victorian puzzle purse. (3) Turn the paper over (the penciled X face down) and make a diagonal crease in each of the squares that doesn’t have one yet (the center one along each side), starting with the one on the right side, by bringing the top horizontal crease of that square to meet its left vertical crease, and then creasing the diagonal within that square only, then Jul 1, 2014 - Explore Amy Jones's board "Victorian Valentines Cards" on Pinterest. See more ideas about victorian valentines, valentines cards, valentines. History of the Valentine’s Day Cards. London’s Victoria & Albert Museum denotes: “The tradition of sending love tokens and notes on 14th February has been around for hundreds of years, with the earliest surviving valentines dating from the 15th century. Check out our victorian valentine card selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our valentines cards shops.
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