Standing Tall for Love - Stilts on Vintage Valentines

My Dear Valentine You've got me off my Balance!

3 3/8" x 5 7/8"
circa 1930s  
Fold out
embossed
no publisher's marks

You stand HIGH with me

4 1/2" x 4"
dated 1940  
Standing Fold-Out
marked: A.C. Co
for American Colortype
Product of U.S.A.
102
x/.

Artist - C S Byrnes - The Unknown Artist

I am in a Stew all about you.

3 1/2" x 4 1/8"
circa 1920s  
signed: CS Byrnes
no publisher's marks

The name CS Byrnes can be found on a handful of postcards and shaped, flat valentines, but the person behind the name is a bit of a mystery. Dating to the 1910s or 1920s, these cards feature big cheeked, sad-eyed little cuties. Byrnes worked for greeting card giant, Gibson. The postcard images signed by Byrnes appear to be mainly if not exclusively, published by Gibson. The heart shaped flat shown above has no publisher's marks so it may or may not be a Gibson product. 

Aside from this affiliation with Gibson, I have as of yet, found no information to flesh out a fuller image of Byrnes - not even a full name. The Gibson Greeting Card company closed in 2000 after stumbling through a rocky time in 1990s. Its massive headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio was demolished back in 2016 to make way for a project developed by the Cincinnati Port Authority. Surely archives and company history including details of artists and cards of note have been stored somewhere? With an Ohio University library perhaps? Or perhaps you have an inside scoop regarding this named, yet unknown artist, CS Byrnes? Do tell in the comments! (Comments are moderated since we get so much spam, so be patient with us, we will get to it, it just takes a bit sometimes)

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