Humorous or spiteful Valentines
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In the early nineteenth century, the cost of
postage had to be paid by the person receiving the post.
Penny Post was not yet
widely available, and the cost was based on both the distance travelled and the
number of sheets posted. Some of the Valentines sent were less than flattering,
and might be sent anonymously out of spite. Having to pay to receive a card like the one below must have been rather annoying!
Comic Valentine, 1812, object number:OB1995-301
The verse reads:
‘Oh charms like thine, are too divine,
Thou model of all grace!
For thee I sigh, I faint, I die,
To view thy love-formed face;
Thy crescent back, like neddy jack,
Hampers so fit to carry,
That if all men were like thee – then,
I’d sooner die than marry.’
