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.
"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.
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.
"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 valentine shows a man with a heart-shaped torso. He wears a green cap, and he points to a sign on his chest that reads " 'Not a Red' Besides!" The text is a parody of Sheridan's "The Duenna." 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: No heart is mine "for falsehood framed," / But honest, large, and true, / And ready, (when the day is named,) / For transfer unto you. / The red, red blood that doth imbue / Its palpitating tides / Is all I have to offer you-- / I've "nary red" besides!, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
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..
The valentine depicts a man with a duck bill [?] wearing a large hat. He rings a bell, perhaps like a town crier. The text suggests that he is trying to sell himself., Text: My fair lady I've just come out / With noisy sound of bell, / To try to find a purchaser / To whom myself to sell., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a fireman running. He wears a large hat and blows a fire trumpet. The valentine mocks the recipient's inability to get a Valentine., Text: There you go --- now aint it fine/ To halloo after our ENGINE? / How can you, my boy, be steady, / When to run to fires--- so ready? / You think you cut a mighty shine, / And yet can't get --- a Valentine!, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The nincompoop smiles, holds a ball, and plays a whistle. His eyes are crossed, his knees turn in, and his ears are elfin., Text: Now, really, my kind sir, d'ye think I'd stoop / To have a man who's such a nincompoop? / 'Twere better far if single I'd remain, / Than wed a man who had so little brain., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The disagreeable man frowns and has a creased face., Text: A proverb that I often hear, / Most truthfully to you applies; / Let's whisper it into your ear -- / 'Tis, "Vineagar never catches flies.", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The merchant sits on a counter with knees twisted over his arms. A sign behind him reads "LINEN DIAPER." The sender mocks the recipient's misguided assumption that women find him attractive., Text: You pert Counter-jumper, with sick'ning grimace / You smile, smirk, and simper your meaningless face / You think yourself killing-- perhaps it is true, man, / For you'd be the death of a sensible woman. / Oh, yes! you're a Cupid, or think yourself so, / The counter your fortress, the yardstick your bow; / But I'd have you know, my impertinent spark, / You have shot all your arrows quite wide of the mark., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The dollar worshipper kneels before a woman who has large sacks of money by her feet. The worshipper has a serpentine body with a curved spine and a hooked nose that suggests that he is Jewish. The large mirror and the curtained windows in the room suggest that the woman is wealthy. Because of the proximity of the woman to the money, it is not clear whom or what he worships., Text: Ha, ha, 'tis thus on bended knee, / You press your vows of adoration,/ But virtue's not your honest plea,/ Nor yet a life of pure devotion,/ For naught but the almighty dollar,/ Could make you wear the marriage collar., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man drinks from a wine glass., Text: You vow and protest that you never will love, / Than myself, any other young lass; / But already you love something better than me / You love stronger your every day glass., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man holds a rifle and looks through the sighting mechanism. He wears a long blue coat and carries a rucksack, which suggest that he is a Union soldier., Text: No doubt, my dear friend, with your good rifled bore, / You could hit on the wing an old-fashioned barn door; / But when you attempt to pierce a girl's heart, / You will find you've attempted a difficult part. / So put down your rifle, you wall-eyed blockhead, you, / I would rather die an old maid than wed to you., "514", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man runs away from a noose. His hat has fallen off. The sender urges the recipient to avoid marriage and compares marriage, or "Hymen's knot," to death by hanging., Text: Of Hymen's knot you seem afraid, / Because it is so tightly made, / Then run away before you rue it, / For once 'tis tied you can't undo it., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The milliner wears a ball gown and an exaggeratedly large hat., Text: I am a young Milliner, / Setting my cap, / In hopes it may catch me / Some pretty young chap., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man holds a woman's hand and kneels before her. His mouth is open, and he holds his hand to his heart. She turns away and smirks. The valentine suggests that he falls in love with any woman he meets., Text: Poor fellow, I pity you, sad is your case, / And, alas! you are weak in your knees; / Whenever you see the merino and lace, / How you wriggle as if you had fleas., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man holds his hands to his heart. He wears a frock coat, bow-tie, and thin trousers. His hair is curled., Text: Quit your tricks, my young man, and quickly to wed, / Lead some charming young damsel to church; / No delight, you'll then take, our poor hearts to break / Then leave us alone in the lurch., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A stern woman wears boxing gloves. "Ruff" means passion or excitment as a well as a collar. 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"]. The valentine suggests that the recipient channel her passion for fighting into romantic passion., Text: Your glove, my enchantress, / I'd rather excuse, / The paw of a panth'ress / 'Twere safer to choose. / There's a fashion in collars, / As well as in Cuffs, / Round your neck, then, why don't you / Put "one of the Ruff's"?, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man with a bear's head and a tail holds a rifle., Text: Your presence as a lover, / Right gladly I had hailed; / But that of fair proportions, / You are cruelly cur-tailed., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The gambler holds a billiard cue and stands in front of a billiard table. Three other male figures are in the background., Text: Oh! vain moustache-lounger, just look here, / You seem a specimen of human kind-- / But now alas! I tell you most sincere, / You lack that greatest quality-- the mind / The billiard cue-- the spectacle, and all, / Denote that you in games are hard to beat; / But in the game of love there is a call, / No long-ear'd vagabound, like you, can meet., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a blacksmith at his forge. His cheeks are red, and his hair is black. He has defined arm muscles and puffed sleeves., Text: Was ever such a dingy devil seen? / A perfect antidote to love, I ween. / Black as your forge, eyes like your furnace red; / When you appear, folks start back with dread. / The fire at your forge may continue to shine, / But I will never wed such a black Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man with sheep's head kneels with his hands folded. His tongue sticks out, and he has roses in his pockets. "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-biscuit pap!, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A crying man holds a handkerchief and a bottle of gin. The valentine mockingly urges the rejected man to drink in order to feel better., Text: Poor lovesick mortal, disappointed! / The gal would not the bargain close; / But you'll gain at the bar appointed / The balm to heal the woes you nose., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman in a gown smiles., Text: Dear, delicious, your face divine / Inspires my soul. Will you be mine? / O! do say yes-- nor let me pine; / For you are my own Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The woman wears a bonnet and carries a large hat box. "Cap-a-pie" means "head to foot.", Text: So you've come out armed cap-a-pie, / To try and catch a man, / And this to do you'll spare no beau, / But catch one if you can., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine depicts a woman with the body of a duck., Text: Take my advice my little duck, / And quick a husband take, / For it is so, as you well know, / Each duck must have its drake., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A carpenter carves a heart out of wood. He holds a hammer and awl, and a saw, chisels, and triangle are on the bench behind him., Text: Oh, why is gentle love / A stranger to that mind! / Which pity and esteem can move-- / Which can be just and kind., "91", Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a small woman in a blue gown with puffed sleeves. She wears a hat with a large pink feather in it., Text: I am a Heart-breaker, / For men I don't care; / The best one shall never / Catch me in Love's snare., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman screams as the Devil embraces and kisses her cheek., Text: Alas! that love, so gentle in his view, / Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!.. / And gentle maid, when Love shall come to you, / You'll know him by his horns and cloven hoof., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a tall woman in the foreground and a shorter woman in the background., Text: Dear Madam, I must vainly try / From your lengthened form to fly -- / To share that tender heart I pine / And fly to thee, my Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man in a sailor's clothing stands by a pile of cannon balls and holds a sword. One meaning of "splice" is to marry, and the sender rejects the recipient. L. Prang & Co. first appeared in the Boston city directory in 1863., Text: My friend, I vow that I'm not over nice, / Yet in a lover I want something fine; / So you and I can never hope to splice, / For you shall never be my Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman sits sewing as a small dog looks up at her., Text: My pretty young damsel, my very heart itches / With love for yourself, and I've made up my mind / As I've sat by your side and watched your quick stitches, / To ask you this day to be my Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man with a long beard wears a colorful turban and smokes a long pipe. He sits on a pile of pillows. "Tartar" is slang for an unpleasant woman., Text: My lazy old pipe-smoking turk, / If you catch me you'll have to be smarter; / And if you succeed you may find / In the end that you have caught a tartar., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man with a wide head smiles and puts his hands on his hips., Text: Ha! ha! ha! 'tis just your likeness, / And a sweet one sure is this; / Don't you think your grin inviting / All the maids to snatch a kiss?, Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The peddler carries two cases and stands in front of a sign that reads "5 miles to [illegible].", Text: Sell your stuffs and laces, / Pedlar, and your [i.e. you're] sure to win; / But take up women's faces, / And sartin you'll be taken in. / But not at Matrimony's door-- Oh, no, / You're far too stiff to make a pleasant [illegible]., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman with crooked teeth wears a gown with furbelows and stands in front of a table with portaits of men. A picture behind her features a hammer hitting a heart., Text: O! gentle Heart-breaker, I fear you; / I'll not trust my head, lest you knock it: / No desire have I to be near you; / You shan't break my heart nor pocket., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man and woman walk arm in arm. He wears yellow pants and tie, and she wears a large-skirted walking dress that reveals her feet., Text: I am sure it makes the neighbors talk / To see you when you take a walk / With such a silly dressed up swain, / As no other girl would care to gain, / Although I know it makes you vain / To suceed a beau to gain. / And you no other man could win, / So must be content with him., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine depicts the head of a woman. She wears eyeglasses, a pink cap, and a blue kerchief. The valentine criticizes older women who look for marriage., Text: In stiffly starched kerchief and cap / Just look at our funny old Grandmother, / Who in her old age strives to catch / A husband in hopes he'll take care of her., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine shows a man with a rabbit's head. He holds a stick., Text: My dear little fellow, / You most make me laugh, / To look for a wife, / You're too timid by half., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The schoolmaster holds a book and a switch in his hands, and he stands next to a bench with a fool's cap on it. The valentine mocks the recipient for courting a younger woman., Text: How now, Master Dominio! what want you here. / I'm sure, I'm too old to be going to school; / And if you are wishing to wed me, my dear, / I'm sure you must take me to be a young fool., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The ship carpenter has a spike-shaped nose and an anchor tattoo on his hand. He hold an axe stands on a piece of wood, and a ship frame is behind him., Text: Spike nosed beauty, man of brads/ Drive the nails and fly the adze: / Big head, wide mouthed, lanky hips, / With legs just like your own spare chips, / For me in vain you thump and chop, / You'll never do for me old block., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The author occupies a small part of the valentine. His hands are on his hips, and his legs are wide apart. His face is pinched, and his nose is large., I am a gay author / Of books not a few; / And I long to be read / And approved of by you., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A man applies paste to wallpaper. A tub marked paste is behind him, and scrolls of wallpaper surround him., Text: You look so well with brush and paste, / And pipe stuck in your jaw! / The lady has a shabby taste, / Who could refuse your paw, / A man like thee who quickly can / Clothe in fair beauty's dress / Her mansion walls, and stately halls / In robes of loveliness., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman with a sharp, thin nose sits at sewing machine., Text: You know it is so, that you are but sew-sew, / Yet you smirk, all the young beaux to wheedle; / Though shirt bosoms you pierce, yet a human's no go, / For your nose is as sharp as your needle., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
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..
