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 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.
The lawyer has a long nose and a bald spot on top of his head. He holds a piece of paper marked "Bill of." The sender rejects the recipient's marriage proposal., Text: In Hymen's Court you've filed your plea, / In suit on your behalf of me, / But be it known to your vexation, / That No is my fixed declaration., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A woman wears many flowers in her hair and a skirt with furbelows. She rests her chin in her hand. The valentine cautions the recipient against holding sentimental beliefs about marriage, suggesting that she will not receive marriage proposals because she is neither sensible nor wealthy., Text: Waiting for an offer, few indeed the chances; / These are not the times we read of in romances; / Men want wives with good sense, or with flowing coffers, / And are very careful to whom they're making offers., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.