Paper Hearts: A Visual History of the Valentine

Before Valentine’s Day became synonymous with greeting cards and candy, it was marked by paper. Early valentines were devotional, romantic, humorous, and personal, often intended to be kept long after the holiday passed.

To accompany this week’s episode of Grandma’s Silver, I’m sharing a selection of historic valentines and love tokens shared with me by Nancy Rosin of the National Valentine Collectors Association. Spanning more than two centuries, these pieces offer a glimpse into how sentiment, craftsmanship, and celebration evolved over time.

Devotional and Papercut Traditions

Engraved Sentiment and Symbolism

Romantic and Personal Tokens

Elaborate, Illustrated and Mechanical

Folk Traditions and Paper Arts

Love in Times of Conflict