Card, valentine card

Valentine's card with an applied cream satin central panel handpainted with an image of a woman framed by a white and gold lace paper border. At the bottom is applied a coloured paper 'scrap' decorated with flowers and printed with the verse 'Bright as these flowers be your life's fair hours'.

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.