Object Image

Valentine (2002.33.1)

Unknown Artist

Large rectangular Valentine card. Front is blue and white paper with gold decorative elements. At center is a cut and pierced heart shape with two cherubs at top center. On the sides of the heart are a red and white rose. At the bottom of the heart is a heart-shaped floral wreath with the text "With/ my love." in the center. Inside the center of the larger heart are two young figures, a boy and a girl dressed in colonial revival style outfits. He tips his hat with his right hand. She has her back to him and holds a red rose in each hand. Inside the card is a poem at center. Above the poem are branches with a bird perched in the center. Under the verse is part of a façade with a bird perched on the window and another bird flying toward it. The poem reads: "Oh, if there be a charm in love to banish harm-/ If pleasure's truest spell be to love well,/ Then be happy, for thus I adore thee,/ Charms may wither, but feeling shall last;/ All the shadow that e'er shall fall o'er thee,/ Love's light summer-cloud sweetly shall cast."

Signatures/Marks
With My Love (in heart on front) Oh, if there be a charm in love to banish harm/ If pleasure's truest spell be to love well,/ Then be happy for thus I adore thee,/ Charms may wither, but feeling shall last;/ All the shadow that e're shall fall o'er thee,/ Loves light summer-cloud sweetly shall cast. (printed inside card) From Dado To Pauline his Valentine (Signed in ink on back)

Late 19th Century

Paper

5.8 x 7.8 in

2002.33.1

Image and text: DAR Museum, 2025

Where you'll find this

DAR Museum
DAR Museum

Permanent collection