Printed Ephemera — 1851-1900
If you would lead a happier life Give up the latch key and take a good wife
Valentine's card with white lace paper border surrounding a plain oval centre with the handwritten verse 'If you would lead a happier life Give up the latch key and take a good wife'. A gold paper key is stuck below the verse and below this is a coloured paper flower garland formed from 'scraps'.
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.
- Category:
- Printed Ephemera
- Object ID:
- 34.170/17
- Object name:
- If you would lead a happier life Give up the latch key and take a good wife
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- King, Jonathan
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1851-1900
- Material:
paper, metal foil, ink
- Measurements/duration:
- H 180 mm, W 118 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 80%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.