Printed Ephemera — 1840-1870
Card, valentine card
Victorian valentine's cards like this one were produced commercially using new printing techniques. The design on this card was made using lithography. It was then hand coloured by the maker. The scene is typical Victorian sentimentality. It shows a man asking a woman to be his valentine. A cherub holding a bow can be seen in the border above. Below the main illustration is a love poem.
The introduction of the penny post in 1840 meant sending cards became easier and cheaper and a thriving business developed producing them in central London. This card was originally in the collection of Jonathan King, a stationer and newsagent who ran his own business making cards on Essex Road.
- Category:
- Printed Ephemera
- Object ID:
- 34.170/832a
- Object name:
- card, valentine card
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Sly, R.E.
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
46 Upper Seymour Street, Euston Square, Camden, London [Camden], Camden
- Production date:
- 1840-1870
- Material:
paper, ink
- Measurements/duration:
- L 254 mm, W 200 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- 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.