Vigo County Historical Society

Valentine’s Day 1900 revisited

Valentine’s Day, a centuries-old tradition, was alive and well in Terre Haute 100 years ago. This Herz Store advertisement appeared in the Terre Haute Express (Feb. 11, 1900):

"Only two selling days before Saint Valentine’s Day. Not very much time to deliberate.

"The stock is as yet unbroken. The quantities were so large that there are valentines of each kind still on hand.

"The valentines are on sale near the front of the store. You will be waited on quicker, get your package and change quicker, and out of the store (if you’ve a mind to) than at any other selling place in town. Bashful men take heed, for many men dislike buying in a ladies furnishing store.

"But about valentines--there are hundreds of sorts here--cheap and fine. From 1 cent, 2 cents, e cents, 5 cents and 10 cents, on up to $1.25. On sale near the big front door, remember."

This valentine, part of the Vigo County Historical Society collection, would have been one of the more expensive greetings advertised by Adolph Herz at his store in downtown Terre Haute at 602-606 Wabash Ave.

It is one of the three-dimensional fold-outs that were popular in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. The camouflaged tabs hinging the layers allow it to stand up by itself and be displayed on a parlor shelf or table. Many were preserved in scrapbooks or albums.

This particular example also features a pink honeycomb constructed of tissue paper. The paper is glued and folded flat but when the greeting is opened the honeycomb opens like an accordion.

The design, which includes a sailing vessel, flowers and young girls, illustrates a popular theme of the time.