Happy Valentine's Day!

Sweet and sappy, or saucy and spicy, there's a card out there for everyone on your list - naughty or nice.

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I’m spreading the love today on Valentine’s Day and sharing one of my favorite websites, the New England Historical Society. Last week, they shared a story about “The Vinegar Valentine That Ruined Romance.”

Started in the 1840s in Victorian England, the insulting and nasty “vinegar” Valentines could be quite controversial. “People sent them to dissuade unwanted suitors” and to make matters worse, “the recipient had to pay the postage during the early days of the vinegar valentine.”¹ Click here for more saucy Valentines on the New England Historical Society website.

I went searching through the History Center’s collection of over 200 Valentines, hoping to find a good vinegar valentine, but there were none to be found.

Most of the Valentines feature happy cherubs and children.

ACHC #1998.056.64 (left), ACHC #1987.598.2059 (center), ACHC #1987.598.2068 (right)

Others are entirely sweet and romantic.

ACHC #1983.081.143 (left), ACHC #1998.056.41 (right)

These two caught my eye for being slightly odd. Burning love, anyone?

ACHC #2006.026.2 (left) and ACHC #2006.026.3 (right)

I was surprised that this one is postmarked 1919. It seems more 1960s and the Beatles to me. Anyone remember “Eva-tone flexi-discs” from the 1960s-1980s?

ACHC #1998.056.55

But, by far, my favorite features this little puppy . . .

ACHC #1998.056.65

. . . who bears a striking resemblance to my own little puppy - who cannot be trusted with paper of any kind so won’t be delivering any Valentines in my house.

Abigail

Thanks for reading, and Happy Valentine’s Day! Leave us a message or comment. Like and share with your friends and fellow history (or Valentines, or dog) lovers. Today’s a good day to share the History Buzz love!
~Elaine

1. https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/the-vinegar-valentine-that-ruined-a-romance/