Old Fashioned Valentines: Mechanical
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Vintage Valentines That Move
The mechanical and pop-up cards that we now consider to be old fashioned Valentines are a fun collectible to many people. These wonderful vintage cards usually have some sort of grommet or device that allows parts of the card to move. The mechanical and pop up style Valentines were produced, for the most part from 1900 to 1930. Of course we still sometimes find new ones today but they were at the height of their popularity in the first part of the 20th century.
Notice the sweet little boy riding his rocking horse at the left bringing Valentine Greetings to someone special. His little hat would tip and his leg would move when you moved his arm. Isn't he just adorable?
Image Credit: Used in conjunction with the GNU Free Documentation License
Notice the sweet little boy riding his rocking horse at the left bringing Valentine Greetings to someone special. His little hat would tip and his leg would move when you moved his arm. Isn't he just adorable?
Image Credit: Used in conjunction with the GNU Free Documentation License
Esther A Howlander Mount Holyoke
And the Valentine Card
Often referred to as the Mother of the Valentine, Esther A. Howlander Mount Holyoke was instrumental in making commercially produced cards a popular way to send Valentine Greetings. You will also find her mentioned as Esther Howland in some cases.
She would make exquisite cards with English paper lace and other scraps and sell them to the public around 1847.
She would make exquisite cards with English paper lace and other scraps and sell them to the public around 1847.
Old Fashioned Mechanical Valentines At Auction
Looking for some vintage mechanical valentine cards to add to your collection? A nice variety can be found at the popular auction site, eBay.
Valentine's Day Cards Are The Most Popular:
Did you know that 25% of all cards sent through the postal service are for Valentine's Day?
Antique And Vintage Valentine Cards That Pop Up
Many times, collectors of vintage Valentines consider the pop-ups as mechanical as the parts folded out to become two or three dimensional. You can find a lovely variety of old fashioned valentines that pop up at the auction site, eBay.
St. Valentine's Day
Countdown to Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day: February 14, 2013
Comment Card
Thank you for stopping by today to read about old fashioned valentines that are mechanical in nature. Do you remember these wonderful old cards? Do you collect them?
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C. BECK
Apr 1, 2012 @ 4:15 pm | delete
- HI THERE, I ENJOYED INFO ON YOUR WEBSITE. I RECENTLY WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOME VINTAGE VALENTINES COME INTO MY POSESSION. THEY BELONGED TO A VERY SPECIAL AUNT OF MINE WHO PASSED AWAY THIS PAST YEAR. THEY WERE GIVEN TO HER AROUND 1934 WHEN SHE WAS ABOUT 9 YEARS OLD. THEY ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. SOME POSTCARDS,MOTION PIECES AND BEAUTIFUL EMBOSSED PIECES. I CAN'T GET OVER THAT THE COLOURS ARE SO BRIGHT AND DETAILS ARE AMAZING FOR SOMETHING THIS OLD. I'M AN AVID FAN OF HISTORICAL THINGS AND WAS VERY FOND OF MY AUNT CATH SO THESE LITTLE PIECES OF PAPER ARE A REAL TREASURE FOR OF ME. THANKS AGAIN FOR INFO. MAYBE THIS WILL BE A NEW ADVENTURE FOR ME IN VALENTINES. HA! HA!
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tealmermaid
Feb 14, 2011 @ 12:40 pm | delete
- I love your lens. Thanks for making it!
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Fitzcharming Feb 13, 2011 @ 5:10 pm | delete
- I don't remember them but I see them often for sale and they are so adorable. It would be fun to start a collection.
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HorseAndPony
Jan 14, 2011 @ 6:44 pm | delete
- I love these old fashioned Valentines. I don't collect them but love to look. Your intro image is great!
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SofiaMann
Dec 10, 2010 @ 5:55 pm | delete
- Fantastic memories. Thanks.
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ohcaroline
Dec 10, 2010 @ 4:52 pm | delete
- Those are really neat old cards. Great memories.
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vallain Dec 10, 2010 @ 4:17 pm | delete
- I have a nice sampling of vintage valentines with moving parts in my collection. I like the ones with the red accordian pop-ups, and the ones where the arms and eyes move.
Every February, I put them on display and treat them very gently.
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Want More Valentine Ideas?
Now that you have looked over some old fashioned mechanical valentines perhaps you would like some other Valentine ideas. Try looking at these articles for some "Day for Lovers" inspiration:
by BevsPaper
Old fashioned valentines that are mechanical are fun to collect.
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Collecting Old Fashioned Valentines
Not only are they cute and pretty, some have real value!
Valentines With Values: With Values (A Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 06/03/2012)
