Featuring hand-colored woodcut and lithograph caricatures of familiar social types, from raunchy spinsters to clumsy bachelors, mid-nineteenth century comic valentines encouraged buyers to observe the holiday through mischief.
Creators: Turner & Fisher Valentine Publishers (printer), Charles Colton (author)
Date of Creation: Dated February 12, 1847 (f1 r.); Written Feb. 20 (f1 v.); Sent Feb. 25 (f2 v.).
Place of origin: Printed in New York City; Sent from Charlestown, MA, to Enosburgh Falls, VT
Physical measurements: 2 leaves
Materials: Lettersheet, ink, watercolor paint, trace of wax seal
Process by which it was made: Handwritten letter; illustration made via wood-engraving, hand-colored with a stencil
Current location: American Antiquarian Society
Information contributed by Don James McLaughlin.