A brief history of Valentine's cards
From floral bouquets and scented hearts, to casual insults and a pig in human clothes – marvel at the sweet (and sometimes quite mean!) Valentine's cards in the V&A's collection.
Organisation
Dobbs
The V&A has 32 works related to Dobbs.
Made between 1800 and 1899, these objects form part of the Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection. We hold work made from paper lace, paper (fiber product) and printing ink. Related makers include Lady's Magazine.
From the collections
32 objects made by Dobbs
Mount Zion, Print, Kronheim, Joseph Martin, c. 1850
Fashion plate, published by Dobbs, ca. 1834
Valentine, by Unknown, 1830-1840
The Barometer of Love, Valentine, by Unknown, ca. 1845
Drawing, Dobbs, ca. 1826
Drawing, Dobbs, ca. 1826
Drawing, Dobbs, ca. 1826
Fashion plate, Edward Hargrave, 1835
Clara daughter to the Duc d'Hautefort, Fashion plate, Edward Hargrave, 1836
Marie de Lorraine, Fashion plate, published by Dobbs, 19th century- Portrait of King William III, Print, engraved by Hargrave, Edward, 1838-9
- Portrait of Queen Anne, Print, engraved by Hargrave, Edward, 1838-9
- Portrait of Marie Leszizinska, Print, engraved by Hargrave, Edward, 1838-9
- Valentine, Unknown, 1805-1830
- Valentine, Unknown, ca. 1840-ca. 1880
- Thou art all the world to me, Valentine, Unknown, ca. 1840-ca. 1880
- Valentine, Unknown, ca. 1840-ca. 1880
- Valentine, manufactured by Dobbs, ca. 1840-ca. 1880
- Valentine, Unknown, ca. 1840-ca. 1880
- Valentine, Unknown, ca. 1840-ca. 1880
- Valentine, Unknown, ca. 1840-ca. 1880
- Valentine, by Unknown, ca. 1855-1860
- Valentine, by Unknown, ca. 1825
- Print, Dobbs, Kidd & Co., c. 1860
- Valentine, by Unknown, 1814
- A Sweeping Advertisement, Valentine, Dobbs Kidd, ca. 1840- ca. 1870
- Valentine, Dobbs, mid 19th century
- The Dread of all Young Ladies..., Valentine, Dobbs, c. 1860s
- Valentine, Dobbs Kidd, mid 19th century
- Valentine, Dobbs, mid 19th century
- Drink to me only with thine eyes..., Valentine, Dobbs, mid 19th century
- St. Valentine's Messenger, Valentine, Dobbs, mid 19th century
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