Some of these cards are sweet, others are appropriately labeled “vinegar valentines” for their tart and sometimes nasty tone.
That said, the craftsmanship and intricacies of cuts that went into hand making these cards is entrancing. In one case the curator, Zorian Clayton, notes that they don’t use gloves when opening some of the cards because they are so fragile, you need the sensitivity of bare hands to be delicate enough. He also shows off valentines made of ceramic.
At the 11:00 mark, Clayton discusses the secret meanings of flowers were attributed during the Victorian period.
