Victorian - Romantic Embossed Paper Valentines

 Time Cannot Change Me.

2 5/8" x 3 3/4" (3 3/4" x 5 3/8" opened)
circa 1850s, 1860s
single fold with embossed design
Center heart and circle of text are pasted on
no verse or image inside
no marking on the back

 Modesty ~ Be mine Dear Maid, this faithful heart Can never prove untrue; 'Twere easier far, from life to part, Than cease to live for you.

2 7/8" x 3 3/4" (3 3/4" x 5 3/4" opened)
circa 1850s, 1860s
single fold with embossed design
Heart at top and scrap with text 
are pasted on
Verse pasted on interior
no marking on the back

May Pleasures ever meet thee!

5" x 3 3/4" (5" x 7 1/2" opened)
circa 1880s
single fold with embossed design
and paper scraps
handwriting  on he interior
no publisher's markings

Valentine Good Cheer

3 1/2" x 3 1/2"
circa 1900s, 1910s
Flat
no publisher's marks
 embossed detailing

With Best Wishes

4 5/8" x 7"
circa 1880s, 1890s
Single Fold
text is on sticker behind figure's head
no publisher's marks
 embossed detailing
no text or decoration on the interior

I want no kingdom Where thou art, love, I want no throne to make me blest, While within thy Tender heart, love, Thou wilt take my jeart to rest. Kings must play a Weary part, love, Thrones must ring with wild alarms,But the kingdom of My heart, love, Lies within these loving arms .

5" x 7 3/4"
dated 1893
Single Fold
Interior has printed text
no publisher's marks
2 layers of paper lace top colorful embossed paper

2 Cards with Coordinating Decorative fronts with Victorian Scraps Applied.

5" x 3 5/8"
circa 1890s  
Folded
embossed
no makers marks
blank interiors

Victorian - Antique Romantic Paper Lace Valentines

Constancy.

4 5/8" x 7 1/8"
circa 1860s - 1880s
single fold
3 layers of paper lace
fabric-crafted flowers and foliage
no writing or decoration on the interior
no publisher marks

Oh, if I fail your heart to move, And 'tis not yours to give, I cannot, will not, cease to love, But I will cease to live.

3 7/8" x 5 5/8" (5 5/8" x 7 1/4" opened)
circa 1850s, 1860s
message can be read to reference suicide
single fold with paper lace featuring an Angel at center
orange paper wafer behind center motif
decorated with scraps
'25' red stamp on the back (w/rest of stamp running off the top edge)

These are red roses gathered at thy cheek, The white are all too happy to look white, For love, the rose, for faith, the lily speaks, It withers in false hands, but here 'tis bright.

3 3/4" x 5 1/4" (5 1/4" x 7 3/4" opened)
circa late 1890s, early 1900s
single fold with paper lace
2 layers atop the face of the card attached with paper accordion hinges

Think of Thee - The blush of summer bud in dew, Softly reminds me of you; Or the sweet bird that sings on spray, At close of radiant summer's day.

4 1/2" x 6 3/4"
circa 1860s, 1880s
double-sided card
with stuffing between layers of paper lace
may have been scented with perfume
no publisher marks

The love that is True love can never depart, But will spring ever new from the fount of the heart, And such is the love, fond, faithful, and pure, That for you I shall cherish, while life shall endure.

5 3/4" x 3 7/8"
circa 1890s, 1900s
Single Fold
dimensional layer of paper lace and decorations
Embossed
Silver Detailing
something printed in silver on back, upper right (perhaps a number 3 or 8?)
No other publisher's marks

Bright Be Thy Lot ~ What a host of kind greetings and tokens to-day, Over land, over sea, are now ringing their way: And more fixed than the land, and more deep than the sea, Are my thoughts, my good wishes and my love to thee!

6 1/4" x 6"
circa 1910s  
Folded
Embossed
Paper Lace
Victorian Scraps

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See Also:

• Maker - Meek
• Maker - Howland

Standing and Hanging Cards that served as Decorations

Vintage Valentines as Wall Hangers and Standing Ornaments

A Token of Love With Best Wishes 

8 1/2" x 9"
circa 1900s, 1910s  
Stand-Up
with 3 Layers
Girl with Bird
no publisher's marks

No Text.

5 1/2" x 5"
circa 1900s
Hanging Wall Decoration
Woman in Classical Garb
Parchment layer Riveted onto Heavy Card
Unmarked

With Fond Remembrance.

8 3/4" x 5"
circa 1900s
Hanging Wall Decoration
Woman with Daisy
Parchment layer Riveted onto Top Heart
Unmarked

The McLoughlin Brothers, a London-based company (1848-1950) that also had a New York City office, popularized the heavy, sometimes riveted, valentine cards that could be used as home decor.  The layers, attached onto thick backing board, were parchment or celluloid or a mix of the two.  They were often adhered in a way to fold and ruffle or puff out, thus enhancing the 3-D effect created by the layering frequently used in the cards.  

Cupid Ave. Feb. 14th To a Dear Friend - Since time and space Declare I may not meet you send my love and wishes  Thus to greet you.

5 3/4" x 5 3/4"
circa 1900s, 1910s
Standing Display with Easel Stand
Girl in Red Hat
with text inside small envelope (lifts up to open)
Parchment layer Riveted onto Heavy Backing Board
Unmarked

Hanging cards and free-standing ones, those usually with an easel stand attached to the back, could be displayed along side cabinet cards and other knick-knacks of the day. It is common for the ribbons of the hanging style cards to deteriorate while the card itself remains quite intact.

A Gift of Love.

5 1/2" x 5 3/4"
circa 1900s, 1910s
Standing Display with Easel Stand
Text on lower pansies
Unmarked

To My Valentine.

4 7/8" x 8 3/8"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Wall Hanger
marked: Made in U.S.A.
H in a Circle 6062
markings indicate an early Carrington creation