Native American/American Indian Themed

Vintage Valentines depicting Native Americans

Like portrayals of African-Americans, images of Native Americans on valentines and other ephemera reflected the racial attitudes of the time in which they were created. Some cards on this page may be uncomfortable to view, but we feel it is important to remember how recent and pervasive the use of racist and ethnic caricatures were in mundane, daily entertainment.  It normalized negative stereotypes in a way that made overt institutionalized racism such as the residential schools for Native American children possible. That's not to say we don't still see such imagery around today - we do - and while there is plenty of room for improvement, we have come a long way in that it is not as common, not as ordinary, not as accepted in mainstream society without any real challenge as it was, in our (not all that distant) past. 

CANOE be Valentine?

4 7/8" x 2 3/8"
circa 1940s, 1950s
Flat
marked: made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

HONEST INJUN Valentine! If you ever get outta my SIGHT It'll be an-ARROW escape!

3" x 3 1/2"
circa 1940s, 1950s
Flat
marked: made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

Don't be so CHILLY Sweetheart.

4 5/8" x 5"
circa 1920s/1930s
2 layers
no publisher's marks
likely by J G Scott

HOW 'bout us be-um Valentines Me not Squaw-k. Be-um mine.

5 1/2" x 3"
circa 1960s 
   Flat
   marked: 757/9
 made in USA

Honest Injun I like you Heap lot.

4 3/8" x 2"
circa 1960s
 Flat
made in USA

Honest Injun ...I want you for my Valentine!

5 1/2" x 6 1/2"
dated 1957
Flat
marked SV R-5 60-4

I'm no Indian Giver. I wampum you Valentine!

3" x 4"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Flat

I'm huntin' for you! Be mine?

2" x 4 1/4"
1950s, 1960s
Flat
made in USA
by Doubl-Glo
marked: 5/5

Me go on WAR PATH "Til get um Valentine

2 3/4" x 4"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Flat
made in USA

I'm sending a sign Be My Valentine!

2 1/2" x 4 1/4"
1950s
Flat
made in USA
marked: 8/5 400

I'll not be con-TENT Honest Injun.

7 1/8" x 4 1/4" flat
circa 1920s, 1930s
Standing Fold-Out

My heart beats like a tom-tom When I think of you, Dear Valentine.

5" x 7"
dated 1940
Mechanical Flat
marked: made in USA

I'm sending this ARROW CHIEFLY to say Let me be your BEAU My Valentine.

5 1/2" x 5 3/4"
Made in USA
circa 1930s, 1940s
Fold-Out 

 You've kindled a spark of love in my heart my Valentine

4 1/8" x 2 7/8"
circa 1930s
Moving/Mechanical Card

With Valentine Greetings

3" x 3 3/8"
circa 1940s
made in USA

 I want to be the CHIEF Interest in your Life

circa 1940s/1950s
Standing Fold-Out

I'd never SQUAWk if you'd be My Valentine!

2 3/4" x 5 7/8"
circa 1950s
Mechanical Flat
made in USA

 Valentine Greetings

3 1/2" x 3 3/4"
circa 1920s
Likely a Charles Twelvetrees

 I'm a STRAIGHTSHOOTER Valentine.
May I be your BOW?

4 3/4" x 2 7/8"
circa 1930s
made in USA

 I'm HUNTING for you Valentine

4" x 4 5/8"
dated 1941
made in USA
Flat

 Ugh! Ugh! Give me your heart Valentine!
Ugh! Ugh! I'm an INDIAN GIVER it's time you should learn it for I won't give my Love unless you'll return it!

3 3/4" x 4 1/4" (3 3/4" x 8 1/2" opened)
circa early 1940s
made in USA
Single Fold

 You heap fine valentine and how!

2 1/8" x 3"
circa 1950s/1960s
made by Hallmark
Flat

I'd be UPSET if you said NO - CANOE be My Valentine?

3 7/8" x 3 1/4"
circa 1930s
Flat
marked: Made in U.S.A.
No other publisher's marks

 To my valentine.

6 3/4" x 4 1/4"
circa 1920s
by Charles Twelvetrees
Mechanical Flat
made in Germany

Click here to browse the museum store for Native American themed valentines.