The "booby" looks down and holds his head. He has a round stomach, bald patches on his head, and long feet., Text: Search through the world above, below, / None half so senseless, well we know, / Can e'er be found, take every pains-- / For all things else have got some brains., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
An ice skater kicks out one leg and holds a cigarette and a "prize medal." The sender suggests that the recipient deserves a kick in the rear instead of a medal. The border features a woman embracing a man; the pair resemble Commedia dell'arte characters. At the bottom is a pack of matches marked "Lucifer's matches.", Text: With your kicks and your capers, / You are very small papers-- / The prize-medal you've taken, I find; / I'm in great doubt, whether / A medal of leather, / Wouldn't suit you far better behind-- / If you think it would suit, / From the toe of a boot, / You can have it, whenever your mind., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man with a pumpkin for a head holds a paper that reads "Some Pumpkin Esquire." "Pumpkin" is a derogatory term for an important person. The border features a woman embracing a man; the pair resemble Commedia dell'arte characters. At the bottom is a pack of matches marked "Lucifer's matches.", Text: Gentle Squash-head, (don't be shocked), / Mind your eye, / Else some day you may be knocked / Into a pie., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The smirking conductor wears a green uniform and red cap. The valentine criticizes him for paying too much attention to a woman passenger., Text: O! gallant Conductor, pray don't think us blind, / We saw you conduct her with airs so refined; / Pray alter your conduct, or proceed with care, / Your quite too attentive collecting your fair., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a frog in a man's suit., Text: Your pretty vest of spotless white, / And coat of brightest green, / Would make you as neat a bridegroom, / As ever I have seen., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man stands next to a lamppost. He has dirt on his face and shirt., Text: You are perfectly disgusting with paltry dirty ways, / You skulk about the house, and along the highways, / You are a sloven and a slouch, a lible on the race, / You've a ragged suit of clothes, and a dirt, dingy face., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A sailor stands on deck next to a cannon. He smokes a pipe and wears a sailor's uniform. He has gray hair and wrinkles., Text: Oh, sailor boy, dost e'er feel blue, / When thou art left without a chew? / When angrily billows 'round thee play, / And you eat salt junk every day, / And when you spit your juice about, / Does't ever strick thee thou'rt "played out?", "528", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
An overweight child holds a doll and a stick., Text: Doting parient [i.e. parent] -- I thought that maybe / You'd like a portrait of your baby; / If so, just look above you'll find / A dogrotype, by----- Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The barber attends a seated goat. He holds a large razor that he has positioned to shave the goat's beard., Text: Conceited, chattering, shallow brain, Whose life's all cut and come again,/ Whose razor's keen, whose wit is full, Half breed between ape and fool : / Such a drivelling fop should ne'er Get up my front, or part my hair; / And as to love, I never can Consent to have a BARBER-OUS man., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a fashionably dressed man who grins and holds his hand to his mouth., Text: My innocent young man, My pretty little fellow, / You'll never catch a wife. You are too soft and [mellow?]., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The bricklayer applies mortar to a brick and stands behind a brick wall., Text: You're a very nice fellow, no doubt, / To lay up the wall of a cellar; / If it rained very hard I'd not pout, / Should you offer to hold my umbrella. / But I don't think that mortar could stick / Your heart or your hand unto mine; / 'Twould be laying it on rather thick, / To call you my own Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The painter stands in a door frame painting and thumbs his nose. The text derides him for the odors that cling to him., Text: Begone from me! thou filthy man of paint, / Thy presence here doth almost make me faint; / Dost think that I could have for Valentine, / A man who smells so strong of turpentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A tall, thin women holds a fan. "Long shanks" is slang for "long legs," and the valentine mocks the recipient's height., Text: At length my love appears a-long, / So long I do aver; / Her passion towers --and I'd be wrong / Should I a-spire like her., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a man on one knee with a heart for a torso., Text: If you will promise to adore, / To fondly love me ever; / I'll take your little heart and hand, / Yourself and all together., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The music teacher holds a piece of music and has her mouth open wide for singing. The sender mocks the recipient's appearance while performing., Text: You play and sign with exquisite skill, / And practice arts intended to "kill;" / Yet such expressions give to your face, / The effect is lost by lack of grace., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman leans out of a doorway looking at two men running away. She holds hair in her hand. Her facial features are large, with a blackened nose and many wrinkles. The man running closest to her appears to have lost some hair. The quoted line is from Thomas Campbell's "The Pleasures of Hope.", Text: "'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view," / And distantly all show their love to you: / Your touching manners are too much by half; / I'll send my love next time by telegraph., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector., Provenance: Campbell, Thomas, 1777-1844. Pleasures of Hope.
A man stands between two women who wear restricted skirts that reveal their feet; they do not appear to be wearing bustles. He has a shocked expression as they both press leaflets to his chest. The valentine mocks women's involvement in politics and connects it with immodest and flirtatious behavior. Bustles were not in vogue between 1876 and 1883, as they were before and after those years., Text: You talk so much of what you'll do / When women have their proper show; / That for your country, in your zeal, / You would the men caress and feel; / Excuse me, if I here portray / A female politician's way., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man with a thick beard stands in front of a table. A sign that reads "Ugly Club" is behind him., Text: Each day your phiz more ugly grows, / 'T'would do first-rate to scare the crows; / Each one that sees you, verdict gives / That you're the ugliest man that lives., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The tailor has a cabbage for a head. He irons cloth and sits on a sign that reads " Cabbage, tailor, customers suited & given 'fits' or no sale." His iron, or goose, has a gooseneck handle. Cabbage refers to the cloth leftover after making a garment. This material belonged to the patron, and the valentine mocks tailors for stealing it from their customers. The border features matches, a heart-shaped beet, and cherubs playing tennis and tug o' war. The label on the matchbox reads "Red-headed matches go off easy," and the beet is marked "D.B." [i.e. "dead beat" or "dead beet"]., Text: On cabbage fed, / Blue, white and red, / (What patriots are decked in), / The tailor's goose has no excuse / Its duty for neglecting. / So fed and taught, it surely ought, / Its nest of broadcloth rolled in, / No eggs e'er lay, by night or day / But the heaviest of golden., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The boot and shoe maker sits at his work area and attaches the leather to the sole of the shoe. He smokes a pipe, and his posture and expression suggest sadness. A tankard is on the table next to him. A cloth (possibly a handkerchief) hangs next to the boots and shoes are on the wall behind him., Text: O! you are boot-iful, yet wax not wroth, / If I say you're the last man on the earth / That I would permit my all to control, / Or join in the wedlock of soul with sole., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The politician stands next to two men in blue jackets. He yells and holds his fist up, while one man writes and the other man looks to the side. "Butter" here means to trick or defraud., Text: Strange what fools men will make of themselves, / For the sake of political sway; / And stranger still, that a man who delves, / Will condescend to butter his way., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a cradle marked " To let or for sale" and urges the recipient to have children., Text: Above, you will find a neat tenement, / Which empty, is now, for sale or to rent; / I send you a note, because if you will it, / I know you can soon find a tenant to fill it., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man sits at a table eating. His mouth is red and large with visible teeth. A cat with visible rib bones sits by his feet., Text: Detested wretch, thou beast with hungry maw, / Mouth like a grave, and ass's under jaw, / If thou could'st have thy wish at thy command, / There'd be speedy famine in the land. / Look at you're [i.e. your] cat, who anxious waits for food, / Whilst through her skin her bones almost protrude; / Thy Valentine for worlds I would not be, / Lest, Glutton as thou art, you should eat me., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman frowns and has a thin, wrinkled face. She wears a gown with a full skirt with furbelows and a very thin waistline. She sits on a sofa and rest her face on her hand; the object near her face is possibly a handkerchief. The valentine suggests that the recipient expected matrimony, but was disappointed., Text: Counting chickens ere their hatching / You found fatal to your matching; / Disappointed, now you linger, / Scored by Time's unsparing finger., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man lies in bed. His arms are up, his feet hang over the bed's edge, and his mouth is open. A chamber pot is visible under the bed., Text: At ten o'clock, you rub your eye's, / And slowly from your warm bed creep, / Or, drowsy asking what's o'clock? / Turn on the other side and sleep., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man with a dog's head stands with straight posture in front of a table with a puppy on it. "Puppy" is slang for "dandy." Steel collars were used to straighten children's posture, and "brass collar" means a partisan with unwavering political allegiance. The valentine mocks the recipient for being more concerned with improving his posture and appearance than with politics and loyalty. The border features matches, a heart-shaped beet, and cherubs playing tennis and tug o' war. The label on the matchbox reads "Red-headed matches go off easy," and the beet is marked "D.B." [i.e. "dead beat" or "dead beet"]., Text: In this inventive age / Steel collars the rage / For "gents" who are decidedly hard-up; / But it strikes me there's a class / For worn collars made of brass / Would be fitter -- and you're one of them, you Pup!, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A soldier wears a red coat with epaulets, a belt marked "A", and tall black hat. He carries a rifle with a bayonet. His spine is curved, and he pushes out his stomach., Text: Though you try to look bold in your fixins so gay, / As you strut around the streets I hear the folks say, / If to war he should go, and they made an attack, / He would surely come home with a ball in his back., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The woman wears an equestrian outfit, including a hat, high-necked blouse, and gloves. She holds a horse whip. A "hobby horse" is a child's toy, and it implies that her horsemanship is poor., Text: Each being has its "hobby," / Some better and some worse; / And you are no exception, / Yours is a hobby horse., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows an ape in a top hat, gloves, and plaid suit and waist coast. He smokes a cigarette and holds a thin walking stick. "Baboon" is an invidious epithet., Text: A baboon, in some far-on forest, / May be a model for his race; / But here, among the men and women, / Decidedly he's out of place., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
"Admiration" depicts a man observing a woman who is seated on a park bench. He is smoking a cigar, and his jacket is too small for his waist, but his pocket chain, tie, plaid wiastcoat, and hat suggest an interest in fashion. The woman, who is reading a book, is seated in a position that reveals her calves below her pink walking dress; she does not appear to notice the man., Text: I saw her in the garden / A readin' of a book/ I couldn't help admirin' / Well, -- say the maiden's look! / I wondered if she knew it, / And turned again to see; / For, if I thought she did, I vow, / My valentine she should be., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The fireman blows a fire trumpet and wears parade dress. His hand is in a bucket from which a hose extends. The valentine mocks his rowdy behavior., Text: A fuller fledged rowdy, sure, never was seen, / Than you as you dash along with "der masheen;" / You hoot, and you howl, you shout, and you bellow / I'm sure I never saw so horrid a fellow., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A shoemaker attaches the leather upper to the sole of a shoe. "Snob" is slang for a shoemaker., Text: Your awl is little; you're near your last: / 'Tis time you try to mend; / Your ends wax close; so work on fast / To save your sole, my friend., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine depicts a man with "impudence" on a band across his forehead. His cheeks are puffed up, and he holds a bag labeled "gas" to his mouth., Text: You've an impudent brow, / A face full of brass; / No cash in your pocket, / And puff'd up with gas., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman stands in a dramatic pose and holds a bleeding heart in front of her. The border shows cupids and hearts; one cupid shoots a heart out of a thimble cannon labeled "Love"; another cupid travels with a heart in a hot-air balloon; and another cupid hammers at a cracked heart below a heart on a fishhook labeled "Caught.", Text: "Oh! If us two must part / For ever and for ever, / Take back your bleeding heart, / It is too hard to sever!", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman pets a rooster held by a man. She wears a walking dress that reveals her leg, and he smiles at her., Text: Now do but look what have we here-- / La! John, but what is it, come now; / Look on this picture, then on that, / Then laugh until you grow quite fat; / Worse than the devil himself are you, / In hide and heart and fancy too; --., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman sits at a piano singing, and her shadow looks like a bird. The valentine puns on the word "lark" to mock the recipient for being a ridiculously bad singer., Text: You think yourself so runs the tale / A very Lark or Nightingale, / For those that hear you sing, say "hark" / "List to that warbling, what a Lark," / While thus you sing to please the men / You are a precious Lark to them., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The bookbinder, wearing an apron and a crown hat, sews a book on a sewing frame. His glue bucket is in front of him and his paper cutter behind him. In the background, a woman uses a roll on a book., Text: My life's a waste, I'm sick of paste; And printers, books and presses / Might quickly go to Jericho, Should Fortune smile, and bless us!.. / -- Yes, but who's the fool that would be thy Valentine?, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The butcher has a bull's head and tail and holds a knife and blade sharpener. Behind him are cuts of meat., Text: We may search all the market, old Bullshead, 'tis true, / But in vain may we look for a monster like you: / For you both cut and steal with such stinking tough chops / 'Tis the sight of the horns, where no customer stops; / No beast such as you, either west, north, or south, / Can be found-- and you're surely the "OLD BULL AND MOUTH., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A stout man has an inflated torso with "GOLD $100,000,000" written across it. The border features a woman embracing; the pair resemble Commedia dell'arate characters. At the bottom is a pack of matches marked "Lucifer's matches.", Text: The man who is made of money / Need never be pleasant nor funny, / Nor handsome, nor winsome, nor good, / Nor with piety deeply imbued. / He may go through the world as he pleases, / Caring not how he elbows and squeezes; / He may duty despise or forget; / He may bluster and bully; and yet / Folks will say he's as sweet as honey-- / Because he is made of money., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A fireman holds up a fire trumpet and stands next to a bucket. His mouth is opened to shout., Text: The fireman's duty is a noble cause, / Gains heaven's good-will and honest men's applause; / But soon it will be brough to much discredit / If they allow such men as you to head it., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A young woman dances with a donkey. The sender criticizes the recipient's lover., Text: A gift for thee my gifted one, / In truth I send to thee; / A plight of everlasting truth, / As pure as love can be. / Yet love hath likings, as we know, / From the cradle to the tomb, / Now having sent my compliments; / Make love to your Buffoon., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a racist image of an African American man playing a banjo. The valentine praises his music, but mocks his appearance and racial background., Text: Your notes of instrument and voice / Are the sweetest I've e'er heard, / And with your shape would make me judge / In truth, you were a black-bird., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The schoolmaster sits in a chair and holds a sign that reads "ABC" and points to it with a pointer. One child stands behind his chair and wears a dunce cap, and another child stands in front of him., Text: Don't frighten your scholars with rap-rap-rap -- / But reserve for yourself the black dunce cap; / Seat your own self on the three-legged stool, / The only fit place for a pedagogue fool! / Hie thee, young Dominic!-- back to you school! / And teach the young dunces with blackboards and rule; / Don't mutter base nonsense to them as to me, / But contented remain at your A,B,C., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The picture shows a simian-headed Irishman riding a pig. He holds a "shillelah" or cudgel. "Crubeen" are fried pigs' feet. The text compares the Irishman's appearance with that of the pig., Arrah, Patrick, my boy, now, and where are you jigging? / Where would you be after just driving the pig in? With such a shillelah, why, truly, and really, / You ride to the devil, dear Paddy, all gaily. / Don't you see how the crubeen is bone of thy bone-- / How his snout, master Paddy, resembles your own? / By the hod! to your liking I ne'er could incline, / Or compelled, why the pig should be Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The tinner sits in front his workbench and wears a jug on his head. A pair of large shears rests behind him, and there is a small furnace in front of him. The border features a woman embracing a man; the pair resemble Commedia dell'arte characters. At the bottom is a pack of matches marked "Lucifer's matches.", Text: Clock, clack, among the tin / Worketh the jolly tinner, / Who at his trade doth make a din / And also make a dinner., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a hand holding a large mitten. The phrase "to give the mitten" means to reject romantic partner., Text: Now you see how bad you're bitten, / Since I send you, dear, the mitten; / You'll know in the future where your place is, / And keep to yourself your native graces., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
"Accept your own" depicts a woman walking purposefully. Her apron and simple dress suggest that she is likely a working woman. The verse implies sexual rejection., Text: I'd scorn to keep aught that is yours, / I'd feel myself above it; / Take, then, the above, I want it not, / Nor you, nor it, I covet., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The butcher carries a calf's head and a cow's stomach [i.e.tripe]. "Lights" means lungs. A pile of meat scraps is labeled "scrap.", Text: Butcher, butcher, paunch tripe cleaner, / Than liver and lights you are much meaner / Calves' head to calves' head see incline, / On your shoulders you carry a Valentine-- ., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The cooper holds a hammer in his hand above a barrel. Behind him are barrels and tools. He smokes a pipe and wears a top hat., Text: Pretty dear! with face just like a baboon, / And mouth more fit for the ladle than for spoon, / Hammer away, and labor at your task.... / Your empty head is emblem of your cask., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man has two faces. One side smiles and waves, and the other frowns and extends a fist., Text: One moment in dimples and smiles, / And filled with good humor, your face is; / Another you then to us turn, / Which is covered with frowns and grimaces., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
