Fairy Tale Themes on Vintage Valentines

I'm no PRINCE but I can be "charming"! Won't you be my Valentine?

3" x 3"
circa 1950s  
Fold-out
marked: A-Meri-Card
Made in U.S.A.
X-109

By the hair of my chinny, chin, chin Come in. Be my Valentine.

4 1/8" x 3 3/8"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Three Little Pigs

Mechanical Flat

 Prince Charming ~ I'm standing with my heart in hand awaiting your sweet pleasure. I pray you take this heart of mine; 'Twill please me without measure. You need no crystal slipper - Nay! Nor pumpkin coach, my pearl. Just say you'll be my Valentine, my Cinderella girl.

5 3/4" x 4 7/8" (4 7/8" x 11 1/2" opened)
circa 1950s
Single Fold
marked: 0-5596
A-Meri-Card

It's no fairy tale because it's true! I'm the Valentine for you!

3 5/8" x 6"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Folding Flat
made in USA
marked: 3/5-715 A

Hi There - Prince Charming! I'll be your Cinderella!

3 5/8" x 3 5/8"
circa 1950s
Flat
by A-Meri-Card
marked: 100
made in USA

May I be your KNIGHT today?

4 3/8" x 2 3/8"
circa 1940s, 1950s
Mechanical Flat
figure holds slipper on pillow in Cinderella reference
no other publisher's marks

Margaret Evans Price - Illustrator, Toy Designer, Valentine Artist

Valentine Greetings I'd like to be your Valentine.

5" x 7 3/4"
dated 1916
Stecher Lith. Co. of Rochester, NY
by Margaret Evans Price
features a girl in hat and spats with a bell and furry muff

If you Love me It's time you Said so.

5" x 7 5/8"
dated 1916
made in USA
features a girl in a chair with a white cat at her feet

Painter, illustrator, muralist and toy designer Margaret Evans Price (American, 1888-1973) is primarily known for her work as a children's book author and illustrator. She can be difficult to find as a valentine card designer. Her work has a rich, art deco feel and is well worth the hunt.

Valentine Greetings to a Good Little Girl I Know.

5" x 7 5/8"
dated 1916
by Stetcher Lith. Co. Rochester, N.Y. features a girl in spats with Umbrella and a white cat at her feet

Ms. Price was the wife of Fisher-Price Toy founder Irving Price and in 1930 was the company's founding art director. The first line produced by Fisher-Price was a series of push-pull toys based on illustrations from her books. From those books, her drawings of fairy tale characters like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood are especially gorgeous with wonderful use of color and line.