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The penny postcard became so popular during this era that photographers, studios, printers, and business were always trying to find new and exciting subjects to satisfy an audience that was hungry for new ideas to impress their friend at home. To make their cards stand out, people often sought out real photographic postcards. Instead of mass-produced lithographs, these were actual photographs made with a postcard printed back. The photography studios often employed women to hand tint and color the black & white photo postcards. Some of the best photo postcards came from Germany, which was also famous for its detailed and colorful lithography. Popular subjects for these photo postcards were women, children, flowers, and young lovers, posed and arranged in an effort to portray the idealized virtues of the Victorian Era. A Mount Holyoke College student, Miss
Esther
Howland, crafted the first U.S. made valentines. Her father, a stationer in
Worcester, MA, imported valentines every year from England. Esther, however,
decided to create her own valentine messages. Around 1830 she began
importing lace, fine papers, and other supplies for her valentines. She
employed several assistants and her brothers helped market her "Worcester"
valentines. As one of our first successful U.S. career women her sales
amounted to about $100,000 per year in 1847 not bad for that era!! We've seen a change from the heavy sentimentality of earlier days to what can best be described as a light touch. Nowadays a valentine usually accompanies a more elaborate gift of candy, flowers, perfume, etc. American school children usually celebrate St. Valentine's Day with a party at school. Prior to the party the children make a decorated box with a slot in the top. During the party the children distribute valentines to their classmates' Valentine's Box. Valentine cards are manufactured on an enormous scale today that range from the sentimental to sophisticated to humorous valentines. There is a valentine for everyone--sweetheart, spouse, children, parents, teacher and even your pet! Symbols Found on Valentines Ribbons, Laces and FrillsRibbons and frills have been associated with romance since the days of knighthood when a knight rode into battle with a ribbon or scarf given him by his lady fair. The word "Lace" comes from a Latin word meaning a “noose” or to "snare". Victorian women carried lace handkerchiefs, if a woman dropped her handkerchief a man might pick it up and return it to her thus giving a reason to meet him or talk. She might even drop her lace handkerchief on purpose! Rings Hearts Cupid
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The
first commercial valentines appeared circa 1800 and were rather
simplistic. Cards were hand-delivered. Until the mid-1800's, the
cost of sending mail was beyond the means of the average person, and the
recipient, not the sender, was expected to pay the cost of mailing. It
wasn't until the advent of the penny posts that the modern custom of sending
Valentine's cards really gained critical mass. 
A series of winding and interlacing loops with no
beginning and no end. It is a symbol of endless lover. People made love
knots from ribbons or drew them on paper. Often a message was written on
the love know. The message had no beginning or end it could be repeated
endlessly.
Andy's
Encyclopedia of Men's Clothes contains complete information 
NOW!!
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