Scene of a man and a woman gazing into each others eyes while sitting in a field. Their actions are hidden by the large umbrella held by the woman., Inscribed on negative: Copyright 1897 by William H. Rau., Inscribed on mount: 1193., Name of distributior stamped on mount: Sold only by Griffith & Griffith, Philadelphia, Chicago, London, Hamburg, Ger., Milan, Italy., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
Rau, William Herman, 1855-1920
Date
c 1897
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Rau - Portraits & Genre [P.2007.20.7]
Comic genre scene set in a parlor depicting a young man courting a young woman as he shows her a bolt of fabric. An older woman, possibly the man's mother, sits at a table to the side of them and inspects the cloth and the young woman. Bolts of cloth surround them., Distributor's imprint printed on mount: Sold by Underwood & Underwoood, Baltimore, Md. - Ottawa, Kas., Buff mount with rounded corners., Negative number printed on mount: 541., Copyrighted by F. G. Weller., Gift of Jesse Randall., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
Creator
Littleton View Co.
Date
c1875
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Underwood & Underwood - Genre [P.2005.19.9]
A man sits at a desk in front of a window. He is using a lamp and a loupe to see the object he is engraving. A moon with a face is visible in the window behind him., Text: Dost think to win some fair enslaver / With that grave face and tool that's GRAVER, / I'll teach your skill another trick / Instead of WOOD to cut your STICK, / A lover never shall be mine / Who might EN-GRAVE his Valentine., "No. 57", Provenance: Helfand, William H..
Illustrated trade card for Miles' Baking Powder Co. at 246 and 248 North Delaware Avenue in Philadelphia depicting a well-dressed couple standing and leaning against a stone wall near rose bushes, smelling freshly picked flowers., Advertising text printed on verso promotes the "picture book and two elegant litho water color paintings, size 16 x 20, worth about $2.50" included in many cans of Miles' Premium Baking Powder. Also includes positive testiments from individuals and businesses that have used Miles' Premium Baking Powder, dated 1879-1883., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1885]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Miles' [P.9615.17]
Comic genre scenes depict a man standing outside on a wooden tub courting a woman who stands inside at a window. The man hands the woman flowers, then falls into the tub., Additional places of publication printed on mounts, including Chicago; London; Hamberg, Ger.; and Milan, Italy., One item [P.9319.1] series of 1903 by George W. Griffith., One item [P.9319.2] series of 1904 by George W. Griffith., Title printed on mounts., Publisher's imprint printed on mounts., Distributor's imprint printed on mounts., Buff and gray curved mounts with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Col. Gatter.
Date
[printed 1903 and 1904]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Griffith & Griffith - Portraits and genre [P.9319.1-2]
Comic genre photograph showing a courtship scene in a kitchen with a woman seated on chair next to a man in uniform, holding a bottle of liquor and a glass., Title from photographer's manuscript note on verso., Photographer's label pasted on verso., Yellow mount with rounded corners., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Ms. Jane Carson James.
Creator
Cremer, James, 1821-1893
Date
[ca. 1868]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Cremer - Genre [P.9299.14]
Illustrated trade card depicting two girls and a boy standing and sitting under vining plants. The boy, with a feathered cap in his left hand, offers a flower to a girl seated with a doll by her side, but she puts her hand up and refuses. Another girl stands on the other side of the boy with a similar flower in her hand., Copyright 1878 by L. Prang & Co. Boston U.S.A., Advertising text printed on verso: Friedberger & Strouse, the oldest established millinery house on Eighth Street, 113 & 115 North Eighth, and 733 Arch Sts., Philadelphia., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
c1878
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Friedberger [1975.F.341]
An older woman sits at a table, eating a large piece of meat. A monkey is sitting on the back of her chair., Text: Dear mam you’re ugly cross and old, / An errant vixen and a scold, / So that betwixt us I’m afraid: / You’re doomed to live and die a maid, / For since your age is sixty-nine, / You cannot be my Valentine., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
An elaborately dressed man stands by a tree. Two women in bonnets and shawls are facing away from him., Text: Dear sir, having considered your suit, / When to know the result you’re inclined, / You will learn from my dear brothers boot / The final resolve of my mind., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A farmer stands in a field holding a scythe. The sender considers farmwork dirty., Text: You pigheaded, grinning, ugly brute, / Go look after the pigs and the sheep; / For they are the only companions you’ll suit -- / No girl would your company keep. / You smell too much of horse and swine, / For any maiden to be thine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman sits at a table with cards. A cat sits on the stool beside her. "Huffle" can mean long-winded talking. The cat's words suggest that the woman is wasting her time by trying to read her future in the cards., Text: “Hearts! At once, I plainly see, / It is hearts-ease meant for me; / Shall I gain my wish at last, / Ere my summer sun is past?” / Thus the dark one then replied, / Hovering by the lady’s side; / “Deal, my good lady, as you will, / You shuffle! And will huffle still.”, "182", Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A woman smiles at a boy playing with a hoop and stick. The valentine chides her for flirting inappropriately at and advanced age., Text: I do not wish your feelings, ma’ma to hurt, / But for one old and ugly still to flirt, / And leer and giggle on each man you meet, / To say the least is not at all discreet., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A Bricklayer wearing a smock and paper hat stands beside a wall and holds a trowel., Text: I vow to me it would be torture / To wed with one besmear’d with mortar; / In blessed singleness I’ll pine, / Rather than be your Valentine., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
An older woman stands with her hands over her heart. The bottom of her dress is shaped like an upside down heart and has the words "To Let" on it. Next to her is a sign that says "A heart wanted." A Hoosier is a resident of the state of Indiana., Text: You’re forty, if you are a day, / And yet no husband comes your way. / It is too bad that such a face / Should live alone in such a place. /Take in your sign, and get thee West,-- / There aged maidens thrive the best. / For Hoosiers, when they seek a pal, / Are all content if she’s a gal., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A coachman in an elaborate uniform sits on the box of a carriage and holds a whip. "Spooney" means foolish or sentimental., Text: Old Coachee, mounted on your box, / You look as stupid as an ox; / The coach of Wedlock, do not strive, / With me old boy you ne’er shall drive / So all your views at once resign, / You spooney looking Valentine., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A poulterer stands in a door in his shop wearing an apron. In one hand he holds a bird a knife in the other. Several dead birds are hanging up, while several live birds are in a cage, and a chest is filled with eggs., Text: The Poulterer surely is the man; / To please the fair if any can, / He tries as far as he is able, / To suit their taste and grace their table. / But tho’ good-will formed all he’s gained, / There’s One whose smile could he obtain, / He’d ever anxious be to prove, / His wish to please as well as Love., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A man with a sheep's head kneels and clasps his hands together. He has a basket full of flowers over one arm. "Pap" is a food for small children., Text: Pray don’t kneel to me with flowers sweet and rare, / With basket on your arm, Sheep-face that you are- / How can you think a maiden like myself, / Could have one thought of thee, simple love-sick elf! / Go home unto your mammy, sit upon her lap, / She will feed her baby on soda-bisuit pap., Cf. Comic Valentine, 9.41, Provenance: Helfand, William H..
portly man is sleeping in a chair. A woman observes him from a window and says "I wish the lazy beast would wake.", Text: Tho’ you are PORTER, clumsy calf, / You shall not make me half and half / And fond of sleeping as you be, / No SLEEPING PARTNER find in me; / Short-winded, bloated, lazy elf / With care for no one but yourself; / Ne’er think to mate in wedlock sweet, / For you could not make BOTH ENDS MEET., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
Two tailor's dummies have bustles, wigs and other accessories attached to them. The valentine suggests that these accessories will not help the recipient find love., Text: ‘Tis all in vain your simpering looks, / You never can incline, / With all your bustles, stays, and curls, / To find a Valentine., Text: Lloyd, 17, Bellebury Square, Fleet street, 415, Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A man in a frock coat plays the violin., Text: ‘Tis by your Music, you’re anxious to try / With dulcet like notes, my poor heart to decoy / But Sir you’ve quite fail’d that object to gain / Your chords are all discord, I listen with pain, / As for your looks too, be candid I must / When I see you I turn from the sight with disgust., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A worker wearing a hat and apron hold a piece fo cloth on a stick above a dyeing vat. The sender rejects the recipient because of his lowly occupation., Text: Your person reminds me of some ugly Cub / Therefore I advise you to stick to your tub/ If by Dying you live pray sir don’t die for me, / For my heart’s not engaged yet nor likely to be., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A woman is looking in a mirror. The reflection shows a cat's face. "What a reflexion!" appears in a speech balloon above her head., Text: With sweet talking, smiling, singing, / A Bean to catch yourself prepare; / Yet no such fool was ever living, / Who cannot see that you ensnare., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
The carriage driver has a large nose, a beard and curly hair. He holds a horse whip and a woman watches him from a window in the background. "Shoful" is slang for questionable., Text: Although you drive a Hansom, a handsome driver you are not, / For your looks are very "shoful," and your's is a shabby lot; / So drive away dear Cabby, and don't cast sheep's eyes at me, For I like a smarter chap than you -- your "fair" I'll never be, Provenance: Helfand, William H.
A bent-backed carpenter is using a plane. His pants are mended with a patch and his nose is red and dripping. A saw, chisel, hammer and other tools are on the floor of his shop., Text: Come, stand erect and plain away, my beau of sawdust, chips and shavings, / St. Valentine’s, that happy day, is hastening round to ease your ravings; / Then don’t be downcast, see above, a sketch I’ve made of your sweet features / Then come and wed, with love for love, we’ll prove to all, we’re Cupid’s Creatures., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A man in a coat and top hat and bear are separated by bars. The man's head is turned away from the bear and the bear is looking at the man. The text characterizes the man as having dangerous animal qualities, and the placement of the two figures poses the question of who is really the beast in a cage., Text: A Bear, what is it but a surly brute? / A pest to women, above dispute, / A surly brute are you, none can deny, / Also a nuisance to society, / Therefore, old Growler, I do decline / To Bruin be a Valentine., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A man in a coat and top hat and bear are separated by bars. The man's head is turned away from the bear and the bear is looking at the man. The text characterizes the man as having dangerous animal qualities, and the placement of the two figures poses the question of who is really the beast in a cage., Text: A Bear, what is it but a surly brute? / A pestto women, above dispute, / A surly brute are you, none can deny, / Also a nuisance to society, / Therefore, old Growler, I do decline / To Bruin be a Valentine., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
Illustrated trade card depicting two couples walking arm-in-arm in opposite directions. Includes two dogs and random items scattered on the ground including a rifle, bucket, and eyeglasses., Advertising text printed on verso promotes gentlemen's and youths' hats and a comprehensive line of straw hats for sale at E.H. Parry's store., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Parry [1975.F.667]
Series of illustrated trade cards depicting a man holding a bouquet of flowers standing with two women; a man with an envelope approaching a woman standing at a mirror; a couple walking with arms clasped and a poodle by their side; and a soldier peering over the shoulder of a woman who pulls petals off of a flower., Title supplied by cataloger., Two prints [1975.F.898 & 901] contain distributor's imprint printed on bottom of rectos in black text: McIlvaine & Co., grocers, S.E. cor. Chestnut & Juniper Sts., Philadelphia., Two prints [1975.F.899 & 900] contain advertising text printed on bottom of rectos in black text: 1st Regiment Bouquet Toilet Soap for sale at soap stand in the fair., Advertising text printed on versos promotes the purity, quality and general superiority of the soap produced by Benjamin Brooke & Co. with the expertise of Mr. A. Van Haagen, formerly of McKeone, Van Haagen & Co., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Van Haagen's [1975.F.898-901]
Series of illustrated trade cards, holiday greeting cards, and grand opening notices for P. Fleischner & Co., manufacturer and importer of fine stationery and fancy leather goods, at 1026 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. Illustrations depict business cards for P. Fleischner & Co. inset into flowers, a maid with a parakeet, a man bowing and tipping his hat to a woman, and a large jester figure., One print [1975.F.297] contains calendar for January through June of 1880 printed on verso., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Fleischner [1975.F.297; 1975.F.303 & 304; 1975.F.310 & 311; 1975.F.322; 1975.F.326-333; 1975.F.343; 1975.F.345]
Illustrated trade card for London board game and playing card publisher C. Goodall & Son depicting a man on bended knee, handing a woman a freshly-picked flower., Calendar for 1881 printed on verso., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
1881
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Goodall [1975.F.368]
Series of illustrated stock trade cards for Louis J. Selliez's hat store, formerly William Hopson's store, at the northwest corner of Eleventh and South Streets in Philadelphia. Illustrations depict two couples walking arm-in-arm in opposite directions. Includes two dogs and random items scattered on the ground including a rifle, bucket, and eyeglasses. Also shows two performers, one lying on the ground and balancing a ball on his feet and the other demonstrating his strength by lifting weights., Title supplied by cataloger., Advertisement on verso of one print [1975.F.832] printed by John H. Johnson., Advertising text printed on versos promotes fall and winter styles of hats for 1879 and spring styles for 1880., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Creator
E. Ketterlinus & Co.
Date
1879-1880
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Selliez [1975.F.831 & 832]
Series of illustrated trade cards depicting couples, including one on their wedding day and another under an umbrella in the rain., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - De Morat [P.9753.1-4]
Illustrated trade card and caricature depicting a lampoon of the balcony scene from William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," except Juliet is much larger than Romeo and cannot see him even though he is immediately below her., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of John H. Serembus., Digitized.
Date
c1883
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Coe [P.2005.30.1]
Series of illustrated trade cards for A.J. Chauveau's Philadelphia confectionery business at 110 South Eleventh Street. Illustrations depict a man courting a woman in Colonial garb in a garden; a boy and a monkey wearing the same style feathered hat sitting on top of a drum; and a vignette within an artist's palette depicting an idyllic coastal scene, including pedestrians, buildings, a docked sailboat, and a body of water., Title supplied by cataloger., One print [1975.F.211] copyrighted 1881 by J.H.H., One print [1975.F.211] die cut and shaped into an artist's palette., One print [1975.F.211] contains advertising text on verso: A.J. Chauveau, manufacturer of choice caramels and pure confections, 110 South Eleventh St., six doors below Chestnut, Philadelphia., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Chauveau [1975.F.151; 1975.F.153; 1975.F.211]
Series of illustrated trade cards depicting a comical, theatrical scenario with two boys, a girl, a dog, and a thermometer. The boys court and fight over the girl, whose desires seem to change with the season. Additional imagery includes flowers and one of the boys reading. The Bound Brooke Route, operated by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, operated between Ninth and Green Streets in Philadelphia and New York City. Route opened about 1876 and capitalized on the Centennial celebration in Philadelphia., Title supplied by cataloger., Advertising text printed on rectos: "19 trains daily, between Philadelphia and New York. Low fare, quick transit, perfect equipment. New York. Trenton. Elizabeth. Long Branch." Prints also contain tables of schedules for train stops between Philadelphia and New York on versos., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Bound [1975.F.45; 1975.F.86; 1975.F.90]
Racist scene showing a young, African American couple (Ephraim and Dinah) seated next to each other, and flirting, in a small clearing in a cotton field. The couple, their legs outstretched, leans back on two large baskets of picked cotton. The man and woman smile at each other. The woman's head is tilted to her left and she uses the index finger of her right hand to touch the chin of the man. The man is attired in a collarless, long-sleeve, light-color shirt, light-color pants, and worn boots. The pants have frayed edges. The woman wears a light-colored, long sleeve shift dress, and heeled shoes. They each wear wide-brimmed hats. A mass of cotton plants is visible in the background., Date from copyright statement: Copyright 1898, by B. L. Singley., Title from item., Title printed in five different languages, including Italian, French, and German, on verso., Text printed on verso: Here it is in black and white. The negro and the cotton are as inseparable as the darky and the 'possum. Colored labor clothes half the world, and half the world never gives it a thought nor a thank-you. But what care Ephraim and Dinah what the world says or doesn't say? "In all ages every human heart is human." A corner in cotton is as palatial as a corner in Windsor Castle or the White House, if love is there. Now, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, you negro writer of sparling verse, here is a subject made to your hand., Curved buff mount with rounded corners., Gift of David Long., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Keystone View Company was founded in 1892 by B.L. Singley, an amateur photographer from Meadville, Pennsylvania. Keystone View Company was the leader in promoting stereographs for educational purposes. In 1912 the company purchased rights to some Underwood & Underwood negatives for use in educational sets, and in 1922 purchased the remaining stock of Underwood materials. The company remained in business until 1970.
Creator
Keystone View Company
Date
1898
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Keystone View Company - Portraits & Genre [P.2018.16.1]
Racist stereograph of an outdoor caricatured, genre scene showing an African American man woman couple seated together on a tree swing in a clearing in the woods. The woman sits on the lap of the man. Her left leg dangles. Her right cheek rests against his left one. She smiles and looks out. His eyes are turned toward hers. The woman wears a patterned, dark-colored shirtwaist, a floral-patterned skirt, dark stockings, and boots. He wears a suit. Scene also includes leaves on the ground and trees and bushes in the background., Date from copyright statement: Copyright 1898, by R. Y. Young., Title from item., Curved buff mount with rounded corners., Gift of David Long., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Creator
Universal Stereoscopic View Company
Date
1898
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - misc. photo - Universal [P.2018.16.7]
Racist stereograph of an outdoor caricatured, genre scene showing a man woman couple, portrayed in Blackface, seated together, and embracing each other on a wooden swing in the countryside. The woman sits next to the man, her legs dangling. She smiles and looks up toward him. He smiles and looks out, his legs crossed at the ankle and his feet touching the ground. The woman wears a kerchief, dark-colored shirtwaist, a striped skirt, white stockings, and laced shoes. He wears a cap, long-sleeved white shirt, light-colored pants and boots. Scene also includes a pile of branches behind the couple and a wood fence in the distant background., Title from item., Date inferrred from publisher and places of publication., Curved buff mount with rounded corners., Griffith & Griffith, established in Philadelphia in 1896, expanded in 1908 to included offices in St. Louis and Liverpool. The non-Philadelphia offices were relocated in 1910., RVCDC
Creator
Griffith & Griffith
Date
[ca. 1908]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Rau Misc. Collection [P.2012.56.56]
A woman's figure has two heads. One is smiling and says "My love to you, dear ," while the other has a forked tongue and says "Bad luck to the wretch." The text translates roughly to: "Cheers, Sir. Oh, how polite, to indulge us with the privilege of your presence, if I see the man I'd like to stick a pincer in his guts." The valentine suggests the recipient's words mask malicious intentions., Translation: "Cheers, Sir. Oh, how polite, to indulge us with the privilege of your presence, if I see the man I'd like to stick a pincer in his guts.", Text: Wohl bekomm’s mein Herr / Ach, wie artig, uns die Ehre / Ihres Besuches zu gönnen, / Wenn ich den Menschen sehe / Möcht icht eine glückende Zange / In seine Eingeweiden umkehren., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A maid wearing an apron is holding a bed-warmer. The word "empty" is written over her head. The valentine suggests that her lack of brains means she is condemned to a life a menial tasks., Text: The reason why you don’t get on in life-- / Is the Sending of the Valentine to you a hollow mockery?, Cf. Valentine 14.42., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A woman with glasses and a bun is sewing bonnets. The valentine suggests she is unattractive to suitors and will be an old maid, so she should focus on her millinery., Text: Miss bonnet-builder, such a guy I never saw before, / Your bonny hair is a knob behind, your nose a knob before, / That your head’s a bonnet-block that of it maybe said, / Who would ever have a Valentine that is a blockhead, / So drop the thoughts of Valentines and attends to bonnet shapes, / For you are built for an old maid, in future to lead apes., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A cook wearing a bonnet holds a pot on a stove. She has a long pointed nose. The Valentine suggests she is too ugly to find love., Text: Goddess of the fries and stews, / To court the male sex ‘tis no use; / Your nose I’m sure is only fit / To make a kitchen roasting spit; / Then cut your foolish ways, pray do, / I’ll ne’er have a Valentine like you., Signed: Pickering., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A man with a crocdile head holds a handkerchief to his teary eye. Two women are looking at him, one has her hands on her hips. The sender accuses the recipient of being insincere and deceitful., Text: I love a man that is sincere in all he’ll say and do, / But not a sniveling Crocodile, deceitful wretch like you / Who for any paltry end can always whine and cry, / You ugly, paltry, sniveling brute, deceit is in your eye. / You may whine and do your best at which we only laugh, / But let us tell you love’s too old to be thus caught by chaff., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A poulterer stands behind a counter with a fowl in his hand and smiles. The valentine suggests that although he can be ingratiating, he is not trustworthy., Text: Stands the Poulterer pert and sly, / Madam, pray step in and buy; / Ah! Buy indeed, to buy and rue, / Would be to buy a goose like you; / Never, by cock and hen, I swear, / Shall you be mine, unpolished bear., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A young woman in a gown holds a bouquet of flowers., Text: Thou languishing young lady bird, / Thou angel quite untainted, / With ruby lips and well formed hips, / Pray tell me – are you painted! / You’re uglier than the Gorgon, / That hightoned folks to stone, / I little thought my darling, / Such a beauty you’d have grown., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A bartender wears an apron and rolled-up shirtsleeves. He pours a beer from a tap and appears to be dancing. The sender rejects him because she does not consider him cultivated enough for her., Text: Oh! Mr. Barman, / you never will be, / The cultivated kind of man / to marry me., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A woman with glasses and a bun is sewing bonnets. The valentine suggests she is unattractive to suitors and will be an old maid, so she should focus on her millinery., Text: Miss bonnet-builder, such a guy I never saw before, / Your bonny hair is a knob behind, your nose a knob before, / That your head’s a bonnet-block that of it maybe said, / Who would ever have a Valentine that is a blockhead, / So drop the thoughts of Valentines and attends to bonnet shapes, / For you are built for an old maid, in future to lead apes., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman wearing a cloak and bonnet holds at lamppost for support. Her mouth is open and she appears drunk. A sign on the wall behind her says "Gin." The Valentine faults her for her drunkenness., Text: Hic, -- hic, --hic, --drink is your soul's delight, / And your only Valentine, / Go, you drunken wretch, steep your brain in Alcohol, / You never shall be mine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A coachmen wearing a top hat opens the door of a carriage., Text: When I’m stuck behind the Carriage, / With my cockade on my hat, / The servant maids, I hear them / Say, a nice young man is that., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
A woman with a long nose holds a bonnet. Other millinery articles sit on a table behind her and a piar of scissors hangs from her waist., Text: Ugliest of the fair creation, / With lips that are not red but blue; / And face devoid of animation, / Take me for your lover true., Provenance: Helfand, William H..
