Oh! Say not Woman's Heart is caught by every idle Pleasure

Valentine's card with white paper lace border. In the centre is applied a piece of blue card and a small paper 'scrap' garland of flowers. Below is a white satin ribbon. A central image or scrap is now missing. An inscription handwritten in red reads 'Oh! Say not woman's heart is caught by every idle pleasure'.

The introduction of the penny post in 1840 meant sending cards became easier and cheaper. A thriving business developed in central London producing cards and card components. This card was originally in the collection of Jonathan King, a stationer and newsagent who ran his own business making cards on Essex Road.

Victorian Valentine's cards like this could be made from
commercially-produced papers. Paper lace was a popular card base and printed scraps would be added to adorn and personalise the cards.