Antique Valentine’s Day Cards Collection, 1948-1950

Summary

Abstract:

The Antique Valentine’s Day Cards Collection, 1948-1950, consists of thirty-two decorated cut-out valentines, two pop-up valentines, one large valentine, one newspaper clipping from 1950, and three notecards with written information about valentines. This collection is arranged in two series: Series I: Antique Valentines, 1948; and Series II: Documents to Antique Valentines, 1950. Valentines were handmade until the 1800s. They were designed with lacy paper backgrounds, romantic scenes, and cut-out cupids. By 1858, fourteen firms were mass producing valentines and profited nearly $300,000 a year. During the Civil War, valentines embarked upon an era of simplistic design. In the 1920s they were fanciful and clever. In the mid-1950s, delicate lace paper cards, made from elaborate dyes, continued the tradition. In the 1980s, some valentines sold for as much as $50 apiece. In the 1990s, silk fringes and corded tassels enhanced the verses on valentine cards.

Extent:

0.25 Linear Feet

Language:

English and English

Preferred citation:

The Antique Valentine’s Day Cards Collection, MSS-2015-05-21, San Jose State University Library Special Collections and Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The Antique Valentine’s Day Cards Collection consists of thirty-two decorated cut-out valentines, two pop-up valentines, one large valentine, one newspaper clipping from 1950, and three notecards.

Processing information:

Collection processed by Lale Yasemin Kaya. Collection inputted to ArchivesSpace by Lale Yasemin Kaya. Finding aid EAD encoded by Lale Yasemin Kaya. Reviewed by Leilani Marshall. Date began: 21 May 2015 Date encoded: 26 June 2015 Date completed: 2 July 2015

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in two series; Series I: Antique Valentines, 1948, and Series II: Documents to Antique Valentines, 1950.

Physical description:

1 Box, 8 Folders

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Poetry

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the San Jose State University Library Special Collections and Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections and Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.

Preferred citation:

The Antique Valentine’s Day Cards Collection, MSS-2015-05-21, San Jose State University Library Special Collections and Archives.

Location of this collection:

San José State University, Special Collections and Archives

One Washington Square

San Jose, CA 95192-0028, US

Contact:

408-808-2062

special.collections@sjsu.edu

Website