Goofy Gumpus Series - Valentine Card Cryptozoology

There are at least 2 different versions of the Goofy Gumpus series of mechanical flat valentine cards. The slightly larger version (our top card seen below) is on heavier paper and has a more matte look to its finish than the slightly smaller version (seen below at bottom). Both feature nonsensical animals with 3 different heads and a figure with a sign (Valentine Greetings) seated atop the beast.

Why the funny animal? It's just my funny way Of bringing you my message My greeting for today~ Be My Valentine!

4 5/8" x 5 3/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s 
  Mechanical Flat
  marked: Made in U.S. Amer.

Rise with me the Goofy Gumpus - Tell me you'll be mine; Even if the thing should dump us ~ Be My Valentine!

4 5/8" x 4 3/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s 
  Mechanical Flat
  no publisher's marks

Cultures and Ethnicity: Asian

Valentines, like other vintage ephemera, often reflected attitudes of the day that may not be comfortable viewing today. The cards shown on this page reflect the cultural and racial prejudices of their day employed as comic fodder and light entertainment. Some cards may be more problematic than others. It is easy to forgot how pervasive this type of stereotypical imagery was in popular culture in the last century.  Items like these as mundane, everyday, fare are not that far in our past, nor entirely vanquished.  As relics that tell the story of our past, warts and all, we present these images in the Vintage Valentine Museum so we cannot forget how we got to the place we are now.

Have I a Chinaman's chance to be your Valentine.

5" x 3 5/8"
dated 1937
Mechanical Flat
Marked: Made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

You are my NUMBER ONE Valentine.

3 1/8" x 4 3/8"
circa 1950s, 1960s
   Flat
  marked: made in U.S.A.
 no other publisher's marks

Got a YEN for a velly nice Valentine How about me?

7" x 2"
circa 1960s
 Flat
made in USA

On Cloud 9 - Clouds on Valentines

I'd feel like this if you'd BE MINE Dear Valentine.

4" x 3 3/4"
circa 1940s, 1950s 
 Flat