A brief history of (charming and mean) Valentine's cards | V&A

From floral bouquets and scented hearts, to casual insults and a pig in human clothes - marvel at the sweet (and sometimes quite mean!) Valentine's cards in the V&A's collection.
Join Curator Zorian Clayton as he shows us a selection of delightful cards from our Prints collection. As cards were a new phenomena in the 19th century, people went wild for the opportunity to show a special someone that they were fond of them. Ranging from one penny to three guineas (£250 in today's money), take a look at intricate mechanical cards, delicate paper cages, ceramic hearts and ruder 'vinegar valentines' sent between friends - and find out whether the language of love really has changed very much since the Victorian era.
00:00 The origins of Valentine's Day
02.00 Oldest cards
04:13 Novelty designs
06:24 Mechanical cards
08:50 Vinegar Valentines
10:57 The language of flowers (floriography)
13:40 Contemporary ceramic and mosaic Valentines
See objects for yourself in our Prints and Drawings Study Room: www.vam.ac.uk/info/study-room...
Find out more in our Print collection: www.vam.ac.uk/collections/print

[@l.m.2404]

The, Ah Papa card is poking fun at older men that favour very young girls.... robbing the cradle jokes.

[@LusiaX]

That is interesting thought. I imagined that it has to do with unplaned, extramarital pregnancies.

[@hnelson5609]

That's funny! I was thinking daddy's girl. Even though she's grown up, she's still his little girl. I think your interpretation makes more sense!

[@LeanneModenPoet]

I really love this occasional series on cards and ephemera - wonderful stuff!

[@MrOwlGamer]

I hope they continue, were there Victorian birthday cards, other holidays, some that might not be celebrated as much today?

[@vamuseum]

@@MrOwlGamer You'll have to subscribe to find out 🤔

[@jeanneblondewomanstamping9788]

What a wonderful video! I’m a papercrafter myself so I found this so interesting. So many of the cards are so delicate it’s a miracle they survived.

[@wendynordstrom3487]

That was really interesting and I learned a lot. I adore those cage valentines and want to recreate one!

[@labradoodledandies4697]

they are also known as kirigami. You can buy dies that cut them out (Anna Griffin sells some)

[@carolynchristy]

I wonder if the "Snake in the Grass" valentine had a piece of red cellophane with it? It looks double printed much like the disappearing pictures we played with in our 1950's magic kits.

[@user-ii5cd1ro7f]

Amazing collection and the presenter is so eloquent 😊

[@butterfIyy1]

Wow, they really went all out back then. So unique and intricate

[@darlenevm]

Well done, Zorian, and V&A on this fantastic video! I loved the history behind the collection. ❤️

[@otterlips8414]

Thank you for this presentation:I found it to be so informative and entertaining.❤

[@mayabrabender8085]

I live for your holiday greeting card videos! The people who present them are so sweet too and I love to hear what they personally like or find funny :)

[@marthaross6301]

How enjoyable and interesting.👍🏻👍🏻

[@Myacckt]

Max Miller's Tasting History also talked about vinegar valentines I believe last year and shows more 'naughty' examples!

[@vamuseum]

Those spicy Victorians 🌶

[@RealSalica]

Wonderful video about Valentine's cards and traditons , thank you .

[@peaches1206]

How perfectly lovely! Thank you!

[@melodiebushaw9261]

Amazing, so anything we do as we make cards…is old not new♥️

[@augustlane8843]

I ❤ this. Thank you for this sweet video.

[@richardskelt912]

The snake in the grass (9'56") looks as if it is red/green 3D?

[@zoecatsaras7382]

What a gem! Absolutely loved this, thank you!

[@dianeirwin3999]

What a beautiful collection of valentine cards you have and I enjoyed your interesting video. Thank you!

[@MsSayanna]

How lovely these are!

[@rikslyd]

Love this presentation! Thanks Zorian

[@zoezee4211]

Beautiful!! Love the perfume and flower cards❤! Victoria and Albert ia really my favorite museum! Happy Valentines!🌹💐🏵️

[@esotericexplorersmartinez493]

loved this thank you! so fascinating! loved learning from this man

[@evelynmatheson2117]

I enjoyed this video very much and learned a bit as well! 😁. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I would really like to visit someday.

[@cornflakegirl4811]

Wow, so beautiful and delicate. Another super informative and inspiring video. ❤

[@susprime7018]

Charming

[@hannahdosanjh9477]

That was excellent, thank you.

[@creambabyjazz]

Find TL ❤ Valentine’s Day every day ❤

[@keltai83]

I wonder - does the collection have any cards that reference the Norfolk folklore figure Jack Valentine?

[@vamuseum]

Unfortunately not. Although we do have this portrait of an Irish faith healer from 1666 called Valentine Greatrakes, nicknamed 'The Stroker'(!), as he was "famous for curing several diseases and distempers by the stroke of his hand only" collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O566720/valentine-greatrakes-the-stroker-print-faithorne-william/

[@kristinscala9324]

Love the videos! The music is a bit distracting and the video would be great without the music.

[@robertkhan6599]

I was just about to comment the same thing LOL