Valentine's day is known for flowery words in beautiful cards, and grand expressions of love. Engagements, weddings, first dates....
However, I came across another way that Valentine's day cards have been used over the years to express the feelings of the sender.
Hint, there were no expressions of love...
Tis a lemon that I hand you and bid you now "skidoo", Because I love another - there is no chance for you!
Valentine, c 1909 - Missouri Historical Society
I'm referring to Vinegar Valentines. Also known as mocking or comic valentines. Vinegar valentines became popular starting in the 1830s and 1840s. There was no better way to let someone know that they were unwanted or unliked than by presenting them with a Vinegar Valentine.
These unwelcome notes could be crass, rude, sarcastic and a bit emotionally damaging but in the spirit of anti valentine's day they got the point across.
The receiver, not the sender, was responsible for the cost of postage up until the 1840s. A person in those days paid for the privilege of being insulted by an often anonymous "admirer." 1
The images below are examples of vinegar valentines. They often made fun of someone's appearance, personality traits, profession, bad habits or inappropriate behaviour. They were also used to dissuade unwanted suitors.
Vinegar valentines weren't just for throwing shade at your enemies. They were also used to dissuade women during an important part of history. During the Suffragette movement, these vinegar valentines were often sent to those women who were campaigning for a woman's right to vote. “it is clear from their context that an interest in women’s rights was [seen as] an inherent part of one’s distorted personality.” 2
I don't know about you but I wouldn't have wanted to get one of these valentines in the mail. I can only imagine the drama these "love notes" would cause today.
So my valentine's day wish for you this year is that you don't receive a vinegar valentine.
