This pretty valentine illustrates the technique of using “paper springs”. These are small hinges of folded card that held the main or upper part of the valentine away from its base.

The more elaborate valentines were mounted in a decorated box with all its springs raised, when the fair young maiden lifted the lid, she was presented with a breathtaking three-dimensional effect.

“These valentines would take a thousand useful and fragrant forms, their artistic beauty commanding the highest admiration and would be deemed worthy of gracious acceptance by those inclined towards love”.

• Opposite
• Small valentine
• 70 x 101mm (2¾ x 4 in)
• Mid nineteenth century

• Victorian Albums
• Victorian Scraps
• Father Tuck's Complete Picture Maker

• Lace-Paper Valentines
• Comic Valentines

• Easter Frolics
• In Fairyland

• A Victorian Christmas
• A Christmas Menagerie

• The Calendar
• Reward of Merit
• The English Lotteries

• Victorian Greeting Card Publishers

Copyright   © 2021 Malcolm Warrington. All Rights Reserved.