Scope and Contents A vinegar valentine making fun of an older unmarried woman seeking a husband, titled "On the Trail." The image, drawn by Charles J. Howard, features a woman with a dagger held between her teeth, a lasso around her wrist, a pistol at her hip, and an envelope of "love powder" in her hand as she follows a set of footprints at night. Tacked up beside her head is a note that reads, "Notice: I am desperate and must have a man. Signed Old Maid." The poem's text reads, "If you'd lassoo a real live...

Scope and Contents

A vinegar valentine on the topic of feminine modesty titled "Simply Shocking!" The image, drawn by Charles J. Howard, shows a woman from behind, who is clutching her skirt in one hand such that the fabric is drawn tight against her rear. The poem's text reads, "'Oh me! Oh my!' in awe we cry / when we behold your weird display; / 'Some folks don't know what not to show,' / is what your get up makes us say."

Scope and Contents

An anti-smoking vinegar valentine titled "Slow Suicide." The image, drawn by Charles J. Howard, features a man smoking and a pack of cigarettes emblazoned with "1 doz. assorted coffin nails." The valentine's poem reads, "If health and strength a man would lose / One certain means there is to choose -- / Inhale the cigarette's deadly smoke / And prematurely he will croak."

Abstract

The Valentines collection is an artificially assembled collection of handmade valentines and vinegar valentines which spans from approximately 1850 to 1940.