More Finds at the Local Antiques Shop: Valentine's Day

I don't usually write two "More Finds at the Antiques Shop"posts in a row, but this is Valentine's Day week and the shops are bursting with Valentines to share.

According to History.com,
Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine's didn't begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

Chocolates, roses, fancy dinners...love texts? I hope that the romantic sentiments on paper remain a part of our cultural heritage for another 600 years. Have a day filled with warmth, love and friendship.

Handmade Valentine Cards

Pretty and artistic Valentine cards

Cards from loved ones, not lovers

Messages from cupid

See another ArchivesInfo antique Valentine 

Follow one of my new favorite Valentine's Day traditions via Twitter. #Loveheritage allows museums and libraries to highlight the unique Valentine ephemera in their collections.