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.
From the collections
24 objects made by Dobbs
Valentine, by Unknown, 1830-1840
The Barometer of Love, Valentine, by Unknown, ca. 1845- 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
- Valentine, by Unknown, 1814
- A Sweeping Advertisement, Valentine, Dobbs Kidd, ca. 1840- ca. 1870
- Print, Dobbs, Kidd & Co., c. 1860
- 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
- 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
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