Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
February 14, 1988
By Susie Dewey
Vigo County Historical Society
Valentines reflect history
The three children’s valentines featured as this week’s historical treasure evoke a tale about the waxing and waning and waxing again of the custom of giving valentines.
Second only to the sale of Christmas cards in the United States, the sale of valentine cards is an important part of the greeting-card industry. Stores begin displaying valentine offerings as soon as the Christmas wares are put away.
These three small valentines date from 1928. They were given to Charles Harlan, who must have preserved them carefully. One is signed in pencil from Chestor Galley; another is from “Donald.”
The pictures of children illustrate the clothing of the 1920s. A little boy wears a hat and a natty sailor suit. The little girls wear blond and brunette curls. They clutch flowers, and one carries a basket of blue forget-me-nots.
Two of the valentines are folded and contain verses inside. One is a stand-up, supported by two hearts that fold backward. The verses are brief and are not sentimental. In fact, the only sentimentality is expressed in the greeting: “To my valentine.”
No doubt Charles received these cards at school. At the end of the school day, a gaily-decorated box--usually wrapped in either red or white crepe paper--was opened and the cards were distributed.
Cupids, hearts, doves and flowers were pasted on the box. Pupils dropped their cards in a slit in the lid when they arrived at school. Excitement and tension increased throughout the day. The question of who would receive the most valentines and who would get a special card was discussed in whispers and at recess. Teachers usually received cards from every pupil in the room. A generous teacher might treat the class to red-hot hearts in honor of the day.
Such simple traditions kept the custom of giving valentines alive in America. The day almost passed into oblivion in England, and American soldiers are credited for reviving the custom.
Early in the 20th century, the only valentines manufactured in England were post cards. During the Victorian era, the cards became so elaborate as to be vulgar, facetious and insincere. The economics of World War I almost killed the custom in England. Not so in America where schoolchildren continued to send valentines each year. It was natural that American soldiers away from home would revive the custom. The Hallmark firm established in Kansas City, Mo., in 1910 contributed to the revival.
The origin of St. Valentine’s Day can be traced to many conflicting stories, both pagan and Christian. One story links the observance to the Roman festival of Luperealia. This festival was observed to honor the got who guarded sheep from wolves. Another pagan story describes Valentine as a priest in a Roman temple who helped Christians and incurred the anger of the emperor. He was beheaded on Feb. 14. Several other tales portray Valentine as a priest, a martyr, an imprisoned lover and even a husband separated from his wife.
For whatever reason, the day was observed with gifts, especially flowers. A superstition said that on Feb. 14 birds began to choose their mates. Early risers in Indiana can hear the cardinals caroling now. Chaucer used this superstition in one of his Tales. Shakespeare had poor Ophelia in “Hamlet” look forward to a valentine. Oliver Cromwell banned the observance as immoral, but the ban didn’t last long. Samuel Pepys received a ring from his wife as a valentine.
During the Victorian Age, valentines became elaborate with lace and silk fringe. Some mechanical valentines were invented. The reign of Queen Victoria was the golden age for elaborate valentines.
Around the beginning of the 19th century, commercial valentines appeared. Over 100 years ago Esther Havland at Mt. Holyoke College produced and sold the first commercial cards in America. Her father was a stationer who had imported his wares from England. She was successful and became one of the first career women in the country.
Today--Feb. 14--is popular in many parts of the world. While roses are the popular flower in America, violets and forget-me-nots are popular in Europe. Bon-bons are the approved gift in Germany, Spain and Austria. Jewelry has replaced the extremely elaborate valentines in much of the world.
These expressions of sentiment are treasured and preserved as much for their symbolism as their intrinsic beauty. The valentines in the museum were a gift from Ida Kadel, who donated her collection of cards and albums in 1982. All were in very good condition and belonged to Mary and Anna Kadel, former Hulman & Co. employees.
Vigo County has several collectors of valentines who display and discuss their treasures during programs for clubs and school groups. They scavenge antique shops, yard sales and auctions for reminders of the manner in which affection was expressed in the past. The rest of the population visit stores for an appropriate expression on Feb. 14.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.