I scored on a collection of these vintage valentines somewhere along the way. Each one is so beautiful and so fragile. They are worn from years of love. Of reading and re-reading the sentiments. .They are addressed to a boy named Everett and another named Elvin. I can only guess that they were brothers, as occasionally the same last name is given.

This one is from Miss Allen and is dated 1920. I imagine it was Everett’s teacher.

Look at the lovely details inside:

I love to read the sentiments, which are so sweet and thoughtful.

“I know the dearest little maid

With all my heart I love her

But I am poor and all I have

Is just my heart to give her.”

———–

“You see I am bold

And strong and brave

of fear

And I mean to try

As hard as I can

To capture your heart

My dear.”

———–

“I’m So Bashful!

The Valentine’s a fine invention

For bashful chaps like me,

I need not even sign my name

A great relief, you see.”

(no signature, of course!)

———–

“While at the game of love we play,

Now fly the happy hours away”

Now hearts are trumps,

while life endures,

I’ll hold no other hand but yours.”

And this is how it is signed. Someone was very much smitten with young Mr. Everett. And he kept it, along with these others until he could keep them no more.

Here these are in higher res.

(Big file for big hearts.)