These Vintage Maine Valentines Are Way More Romantic Than You

Valentines cards today are plastered with cartoon characters and cheesy sayings. The valentines of the past were handmade on embossed paper with original poetry and handwritten notes. These valentines were all made and sent in Maine in the 1800s.

G.H. Knight Valentine, 1848

The delicate cursive handwriting is difficult to read, but this valentine was penned in 1848 to George H. Knight. Each line of the acrostic poem starts with a letter in George's name. The author writes, "Open brow and manly face, Radiant with nature's grace."

Paper Valentine to Emma Brown

This valentine on beautiful embossed paper was end to Miss Emma Brown of East Baldwin. The caption reads:

Constant in hope, 
Constant in love,
Constant to thee, 
All others above.

Fringed Valentine with Floral Art

Nothing says love and romance like blue fringe. According to MaineMemory.net, "Fringed valentines became popular in the 1880s." The caption says, "Wake my love, my Valentine."