[Black Valentines (London, c.1850)]

Commercially printed “Valentines” were being produced from the late eighteenth century, but became especially popular from the mid-nineteenth century. They were sent between lovers, usually anonymously, in the week leading up to Saint Valentine’s Day, 14th February. The three hand-coloured items on display are “Black Valentines” a kind of anti-Valentine which went through a craze around the middle of the century.

Each consists of an image and a verse. One verse begins,

I dreamt last night a drunken sot

Had very, very tipsy got, ---

And ends,

Glass after glass each day you swallow,

And then in drunkenness you wallow,

No drunkard ever shall be mine,

You don’t deserve a Valentine.

Created with Web Album Generator