A Valentine Timeline
I had fun looking at prints and photographs from the Library of Congress to illustrate the Simple Blessings post for yesterday, so I made a Valentine timeline as my Valentine greeting for you. I have included the inscriptions, too, in case they are too small for you to read.
This first illustration was created c. 1861! It shows a mailman loaded with letters and people buying and reading Valentines.
This Valentine is from 1890 when Queen Victoria was on the throne in the England. The pretty pinks and gold and cupid are typical of that Victorian Era.
The sail on the boat christened Hearts Delight reads:
Pray Sweetheart, send me just a line
To say you’ll be my Valentine.
These next Valentines are from the same series as the one from yesterday. I wish I knew their history. I am guessing it was for American soldiers involved in World War I.
It reads:
TO MY VALENTINE
If you’ll be my partner
I’ll always be true
And save the best dances
For no one but you.
And the one above reads:
TO MY VALENTINE
All the paper in the country,
All the stamps and pens and ink,
I should need if I should tell you
All the compliments I think.
Yours truly
And this one says:
A Prayer and a Kiss
On the magic wireless waves of love
I’m sending a kiss and a prayer —
A prayer to the God of us both above,
And a kiss for your lips “Over There.”
A little boy, who lives in a farm workers community in California in 1942, is making a Valentine.
I have this Valentine out of order in my timeline. The Library of Congress doesn’t have a specific date for this Valentine, but they estimate that it was created between 1800 and 1900. I place it here because its message is simply:
Forever Yours
It reminds me of God’s “Valentine” to us.
The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
I pray your weekend with your husbands and children is filled with love.
All images are courtesy of the Library of Congress.