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Before Hallmark There Were Valentine “Writers”

on January 18, 2011 – 6:35 am

Valentines DayBefore Valentines could be purchased at a local store, lovers were constrained to construct their own special cards and prose. Materials for these were a quill pen, a sheet of thick writing paper, and an acquaintance with the muse of poetry. Failing this latter commodity, it was essential to have access to the pages of some obliging little chap-book called a valentine “writer.” These sixpenny pamphlets, such as the Gentleman’s New Valentine Writer or the Bower of Cupid, were especially prepared for the lover’s convenience and provided choice specimens of poetic verse for almost all the degrees of love and sentiment that arose on St. Valentine’s Day. Accordingly, the young lover – who lacked poetic genius – could leaf through these little booklets and choose among a vast array of romantic, serious, or sometimes humorous verses and messages. Learn more here.

Victorian Christmas

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