Valentine's Day Wishes from Times Passed

I'd like to wish all my Flickr friends and followers a very happy Saint Valentine's Day. May you spend at least some of the day with those you love. It's not about chocolates, flowers or cards, but about the connection of hearts, minds and spirits.

 

Valentine's Day cards are often sent anonymously, giving the recipient the excitement of wondering who the sender may be. The tradition of sending cards or postcards to loved ones on Valentine's Day goes back hundreds of years and the very first cards were handmade and designed with a special valentine in mind.

 

This Valentine's Day postcard by an anonymous artist features Jack and the Beanstalk. With a cherubic face, blue eyes and a halo of golden hair, Jack is the epitome of Victorian and pre-war Edwardian childhood innocence.

Dressed smartly in a Tudor inspired outfit, he scales the beanstalk.

 

The card reads:

 

"Jack climbed the stalk,

But not for gold,

As stated in the rhyme of old,

'Twas for your heart,

More precious far,

Than gold or even jewels are."

 

Printed in Bavaria, for Ernest Nister of London and E.P. Dutton and Co. of New York, this card pre-dates the Great War. Prior to the First World War, it was common for British firms to have cards printed in Germany, Austria and Bavaria because their printing presses produced far better quality illustrations. This Valentine's Day card is number 3130 and features a small amount of gilding.

 

Although as stated earlier, Valentine's Day cards are usually anonymous, this card was given to Theodore from his Aunt Claire.

Done