You're the SUPERMAN - DC Comics hero

You're the SUPERMAN I'm wild about, - no VALENTINE can CUT you out.

Superman Valentine
5 5/8" x 5 1/4"
1940
made in USA

What SUPERMAN does I don't want to do - He travels alone - I want to travel with YOU!

Superman Valentine
6 5/8" x 4 5/8"
1940
made in USA

This rare series of valentines appeared just over a year after the introduction of the Man of Steel in Action Comics #1 (April 1938 with a cover date of June 1938). Jerry Siegal and Joe Shuster's superhero got his own book in 1939. He was immediately very popular. These cards were among the earliest licensed items to feature the new character. There are at least 3 different designs in this series. We currently have just 2 to display here.

Superman was originally conceived as a bald villain. After appearing in a short story in Science Fiction #3 (1933), where he was out to dominate the world, he was re-imagined as one of the good guys. His look was changed and his stance was made to resemble the popular actor Douglas Fairbanks Sr when he donned the cape and tights. His appearance as Clark Kent was a nod to Harold Lloyd, the silent movie comedian.

The valentine series is copyright dated 1940 Superman, Inc (which was DC Comics' licensing division back then). They fold to stand, making for a fabulous superhero display. In the 1970s, a series of tall single-fold birthday cards were released that feature different characters from the DC Universe, including Superman (along with Wonder Woman and others). There is also a series of valentines from 1966 to collect. All of these can be somewhat difficult, though not impossible, to find.

We'd really love to know which artist drew this set. As far as we could tell, artists drawing Superman for DC at the time included Shuster, Cassidy, Neville, Nowak and Sikela. So...Anyone know?

Look up in the sky -
It's a bird...
It's a plane...

It's SUPERMAN!