Dan Cupid - That's Mr. Cupid to you!

Dan Cupid's origins likely come from the out-dated use of "Dan" as an honorific title. Like "Sir" or the more humble "Mister." So the Roman god of affection and desire becomes Dan Cupid. 

This embodiment of a mythological character abounds in early 20th century culture, with mentions in operas (German and Hood's Merrie England of 1902), plays (Boileau and Erle's Mr. Dan Cupid or There's Nowt as Queer as Folk.. from 1908) movies (1911's The Tempter and Dan Cupid), and of course appearing on countless Valentine cards over the next several decades. Earliest, well-known usage is undoubtedly found in Berowne's monologue in Shakespeare's Love's Labours Lost first published in 1598: 

This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy, This signor-junior, giant-dwarf, Dan Cupid, Regent of love-rimes, lord of folded arms, The anointed sovereign of sighs and groans, Liege of all loiterers and malcontents, Dread prince of plackets, king of codpieces, Sole imperator and great general Of trotting paritors -- O my little heart!

With Love ~ Dan Cupid ~ Cupid in his happy day Many pranks has tried to play, Aiming at su all a dart, Piercing every faithful heart; To give to you, sweet Valentine, He took this loving heart of mine.

4 3/8" x 4 1/2"
circa 1920s
Single Fold
Embossed
No publisher's marks

Dan Cupid is a highwayman Who makes poor lovers pine, But I will give my heart to you. My Darling Valentine.

4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
circa 1910s, 1920s

by Jason Freixas

folds to stand
no publisher marks

 'Instructions by D. Cupid' (text on book) Love's catching (on winged heart).

4" x 2 1/2"
dated 1933
Mechanical Flat
embossed detailing
no publisher's marks

You Make My Heart Swim! At the Beach and Swimsuits, Divers and Swimmers

To my Dear-One

3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
circa 1920s 
  Flat with Easel Stand
   made in Germany 

Oh! You Heart-Breaker

4 5/8" x 7 1/2"
circa 1920s, 1930s
 Mechanical Flat
with fantastic art deco waves
 by Whitney-Made
 made in USA

 To My Valentine - Your Heart's cold I'll admit But I'll make a DIVE for it!

3 1/2" x 5 3/4"
dated 1942
Mechanical Flat
made in USA

You can hang on to me for life!

3 7/8" x 6 1/2"
circa 1910s, 1920s
 Flat with removable life preserver
unknown artist

 My Valentine Are these your knickers?  No; they're Teddies, smarty.

7 3/8" x 7 1/2"
circa 1920s
Mechanical Flat
Woman in fluffy bathing cap stands behind a parasol
made in Germany

How do I SHAPE UP as a valentine for you?

6" x 5 3/8"
circa 1930s, 1940s 

Mechanical Flat
by Carrington
'E' in tree logo

On dry land or by the sea, You're the one love for me!

3 3/4" x 5 1/2"
circa 1960s
   Fold-Out
    marked: Made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

Mailboxes and Letters

To my Valentine - To You - I'd like to STAMP You as my Valentine!

5 1/2" x 2 3/8"
circa 1940s, 1950s
Flat
marked: Prtd in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

To My Valentine I'm waiting for a somebody, To think of me to-day, If he will "ask the question" I will not run away!

5 1/2" x 4"
dated 1932
   Mechanical Flat
  marked: Printed in Germany
no other publisher's marks

Love to Mama - Love to Buddy - To My Valentine.

3" x 5 1/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Mechanical Flat
marked: Printed in Germany

To My Valentine - A Message from my Heart.

1 5/8" x 4 1/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Flat
made in USA
marked: H (in a circle) 6033
likely an early Carrington Card

 Please be my Valentine ~ This card is just a little sign I'd like you for my Valentine! 

3 1/2" x 6 3/8"
dated 1960
French Fold
made in Canada
 

WRITE before my eyes - From Me - Be My Valentine.

5" x 3 1/2" flat
circa 1930s
Standing Fold-Out

Love is in the HAIR at the Beauty Salon! Hairstylists and Barber Shop Themes

I'm getting all SET valentine Let's make it PERMANENT!

3 1/2" x 3 1/2"
circa 1950s 
 Flat
 by A-Meri-Card
 Made in USA
 Marked: 5-5 V 1548/3

You're FAIR enough! But I hope you're getting WARMER in your affections towards me, my Valentine.
circa 1940s
mechanical

I like your STYLE! CUT it short -- Let's be Valentines.

3 1/2" x 7"
circa 1960s
made in USA

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See Also:

Make-Up, Perfume and Beauty Themes

Accordion to me - You are my Love!

Accordion to My Way of Thinking You Should be My Valentine.

3 3/8" x 2 1/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Flat
marked: Made in U.S.A.
 no other publisher's marks
    

Hope My Song Touches Your Heart Valentine

3" x 3 3/4"
circa 1930s
Flat
Easel Stand on back
Figure on swing with Concertina
 marked: Made in Germany.
 no publisher's mark

The Same Old Wheeze ~ Be My Valentine.

3 7/8" x 3 1/2" (3 1/2" x 7 1/4"opened)
circa 1920s, 1930s 
Folded
 no publisher's marks 

To My Dear One - I make-a da song I sing-a my bes'! Mebbe you be My Valentine - yes?

3 1/2" x 6 1/2"
dated 1936
Standing Fold-Out
made in USA

My heart is in TUNE with yours My Valentine.

3 1/8" x 4"
circa 1950s
made in USA
mechanical flat
elephant with concertina
by A-Meri-Card
marked: P 204

ACCORDION to my way of thinking - you should be my Valentine!

5 1/8" x 6 1/2"
1940s
marked: Litho in USA

Possible Part of Series
Mechanical Flat

I'll sing your praises night and day - Because I think you are Okay!

7 1/4" x 4 1/2" flat
dated 1944
Figure with Concertina
Standing Fold Out

Boats, Canoes, Lighthouses

Love one another but make not a bond of love: rather let it be a moving sea between the shores of your souls ~ Kahlil Gibran

"Ahoy Mate"  Be My Valentine?

2 7/8" x 5 1/2"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Flat
Duck in a Boat
marked: 757/21
made in U.S.A.

Ahoy Valentine I'm ALL AT SEA with a raft built for two - Here's hoping a good wind will BLOW ME TO YOU!

 5 1/2" x 7"
circa 1940s
Mechanical Flat
marked: Made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

To My Valentine.

4 1/4" x 3 1/4"
circa 1910s, 1920s
Flat with Easel Stand
marked: Printed in Germany

I Love you - I would sail the ocean blue Sweetheart just to be with you.

3" x 5 1/8"
circa 1930s, 1940s
Mechanical Flat
made in USA

My Love - I can SEA You as My Dear Valentine.

3 7/8" x 4 7/8"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Folded
with silver glitter detailing

 

My Valentine - I'd like to SAIL into you heart.

4 3/8" x 2"
circa 1950s
Flat
marked: x-602/2

I couldn't SKIP-per date like this, for a Valentine like you.

5" x 6 3/8"
1930s
Fold-Out
made in USA

Ship With Me

4 3/8" x 4"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Flat
embossed detailing
 no publisher's marks

Valentine Greetings Searching for Romance

4 3/4" x 2 1/2"
dated 1935
Mechanical Flat
made in Germany

I'm H'anchor'ing for you, Valentine ~ I've an ocean of Love All for you, Valentine And you'd ought to come in - 'Cause the water's just fine!

3 3/4" x 5 3/8"
circa 1930s, 1940s
with attached metal anchor charm
French Fold
made in USA
by Gibson Brothers
marked: GB (in rectangle logo) 8428 on the back

I'm looking for my Valentine

7" x 3 3/4"
circa 1930s
mechanical card 
Lithograph by Stecher
marked '21'
made in USA

I'm all at sea Won't you be my Valentine?

5 1/4" x 5 3/4"
circa 1940s
mechanical card
made in USA

I ad-OAR you, My Valentine ~ So don't take the wind out of my sails. Be Mine!

3 1/2" x 4 1/4" (4 1/2" x 6 3/4" opened)
circa 1940s
by Doubl-Glo
Modified French Fold
made in USA

I'm PUT-PUT-PUTTING Myself Right into Your Heart Valentine!

circa 1950s, 1960s
5 5/8" x 3 1/8"
marked: P-917/4 Litho in U.S.A.

You're MOTOR me than I can say, Valentine.

circa 1930s, 1940s
made in USA

 When you're looking for a Valentine Don't SKIP the SKIPPER.

6 5/8" x 5 1/4"
circa 1940s/1950s
by Carrington
marked 'E' in tree logo

There is lots of room for two
Can't I speed away with you
If your idea's the same as mine
why not be my valentine.

3 5/8" x 3" (3" x 6 3/8" open)
circa 1930s

Loving Thoughts

3 5/8" x 2 3/4"
circa 1930s
 Mechanical Flat
marked: made in Germany

To my Valentine.

6 1/8" x 5 7/8"
circa 1920s/1930s
likely an unsigned Charles Twelvetrees
made in GERMANY

To my Valentine.

3 1/4" x 3 3/4"
circa 1920s
made in GERMANY

You're my Sweetheart in Every Port.

2 1/2" x 3 5/8"
circa 1920s
Flat
printed in Germany

Sailor beware I want you for mine So row off with me my Valentine.

6 5/8" x 4 1/2"
circa 1920s
Fold-Out
made in USA

Yes Sir! Blow Me Down I'll be all AT SEA without You My Valentine.

3" x 4"
circa 1930s, 1940s 
Mechanical Flat
 made in USA

So Help Me! I've gone OVERBOARD Valentine for You. 

7 3/8" x 3 3/4"
circa 1950s, 1960s 
  Fold-Out
  made in USA

You've got a lot of PULL with me Valentine!

 3 5/8" x 3 1/2"
circa 1950s
Flat
Marked: X-5544
Made in USA
by A-Meri-Card

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See also our pages on  Pirates and Sailors