Maine Memory Network

This early 19th century valentine was addressed to Miss Emma Brown of East Baldwin.

Valentines have evolved throughout American History, from handmade creations to purchased cards.

Some were as simple as a postcard, others as elaborate as the mechanical and fringed valentines that became popular in the mid 1800s.

A handwritten French verse on the back of this valentine is signed by Charles Briant.

It reads, "Though sweetly beams the evening star, Thy smile, dear girl, is sweeter far."

Teachers, friends, and family members signed each "page" of a boot-shaped homemade valentine, dated 1883-1884.

Fringed valentines were popular in the 1880s. This one says "From my heart, I wish you happiness." Capt. Alonzo Soule addressed it to his wife, Deborah S. Soule, writing "To Wifey."

Alonzo Soule (son of Barnabas and Mehitable Wyer) married Deborah Sinnett on January 4, 1803; they had nine children.

Alonzo, a sailor, was lost at sea in November of 1883; the patent date for this valentine was February 14, 1882. This may have been the last valentine he gave her.

Comic valentines, sometimes known as penny dreadfuls, as they sold for a penny and often had satiric verse, were popular in the 1840s.

They featured caricatures, or figures that looked like cartoon drawings.

This one reads: "Behold my broken heart, by affliction torn / I am pointed out by the finger of scorn / Pray come and marry me if you can / For I know I'm longing for a man."

Mechanical valentines, also known as sentimental movables, trick valentines, or novel valentines, became popular as people stopped buying the earlier Victorian valentines.

Often they had movable parts and stands.

This mechanical valentine, from around the turn of the century, is made from a doily and pasted pictures of a bird and flowers.

On this valentine, made from a doily and paper, the inscription reads, "Albert from Merrill."

On this 1848 handwritten valentine, written to George H. Knight, each letter spells out the recipient's name:

Generous Knight! A nature true

Each one owns to be your due

Open brow and manly face

Radiant with nature's grace

Genius bless thee from her store

Earth her choicest blessing know

Kingly power we wield today

None own mandate may gainsay

I, therefore of my sovereign will

Guided by the hearts fond thrill

Hold you by this queenly sign

To be my faithful Valentine

Fringed valentines were popular in the 1880s.