Howard (Charles J.) Collection of Comic Valentines, 1880s-1910s

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Title:
Charles J. Howard collection of comic valentines
Dates:
1880s-1910s
Creators:
Howard, Charles J.
Abstract:
A collection of fifteen comic valentines (also known as vinegar valentines and penny dreadfuls), created by illustrator Charles J. Howard dating from approximately the 1880s to 1910s. The valentines were printed on inexpensive paper and cheaply sold to ridicule men and women for their physical attributes, racial and ethnic backgrounds, occupations, habits, and behaviors with short rhymes and satirical images.
Extent:
0.81 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Charles J. Howard collection of comic valentines, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of fifteen comic valentines (also known as vinegar valentines and penny dreadfuls), created by illustrator Charles J. Howard dating from approximately the 1880s to 1910s. The valentines ridicule men and women for their physical attributes, racial and ethnic backgrounds, occupations, habits, and behaviors with short rhymes and satirical images. The hand-colored wood engravings include garish caricatures colored in shades of red, blue, green, and yellow on inexpensive paper. Some of the prints are signed by the artist with the letter "H."

Titles of prints include: Chamber-Maid; Clerk in a Beanery; Clumsy Blacksmith; Cook; Expressman; A Foul-Mouthed Driver; A Highly Decorated Countenance; Hotel Keeper; An Irish Cur; Jack of all Trades; An Old Reprobate; A Street Flaunter; A Tough Old Gal; The Tough Girl is Going to be a New Woman Too, See!; You Should Advertise Like This."

Biographical / historical:

Charles J. Howard (1848-?) was an American illustrator active in Brooklyn, New York. He worked as a staff cartoonist for the comic periodical Wild Oats and created satirical valentines for publisher McLoughlin Bros. Howard often collaborated with writer W.J. Rigney on producing comic valentines, with Rigney writing the verses to accompany his illustrations. Howard also used the alias "Constance White" to illustrate children's books published by M.A. Donohue & Co.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Nancy L. Barnes and Garland N. Barnes, October 2025.
Processing information:

Processed by Mari Khasmanyan in February 2026.

Physical description:
Prints are fragile and tearing. Please handle with care.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-03-02 17:25:12 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Charles J. Howard collection of comic valentines, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website