A Valentine for You

History tells us that the very first Valentine card was sent by the 21-year-old Duke of Orleans while he was held prisoner at the Tower of London in 1415. It was written to his young wife, Bonne of Armagnac, but did not reach her before her untimely death.

What makes his poem the first Valentine? In it, he addressed her as “my very gentle Valentine.”

For the next 25 years he lived as a prisoner of war, albeit a very well-treated one, and wrote many more poems and love letters to his wife (presumably the news of her death did not reach him, or it only increased his ardor).

His original letter is in the British Library of London today.

The Tradition of Valentine’s Day Cards

Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day has meant many things over the years, from pagan festivals to feasts celebrating romantic love. But today the word “Valentine” is synonymous with a card.

By the mid-18th century it was common for lovers, and even friends, to exchange small gifts or handwritten notes. By 1900, a golden age for printed materials, pre-made cards replaced handwritten letters, and cheap postage rates made it easier than ever to express emotions in the mail.

Valentine’s Day is now the second largest card-sending holiday, according to the Greeting Card Association (Christmas still beats it with 2.6 billion cards). Are you surprised that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards?

In our subject of interest, there are a surprising number of flirtatious butcher cards from the mid-2oth century. Most of the butchers are young boys, indicating that these cards were intended for children.

From the sentimental cards of the past with cupids and flowers, we have segued into more sardonic and humorous cards today. And we found some entertaining Valentine’s Day greetings with food themes (mostly on Etsy) for you.