Collectors know that funny Valentine somebody gave a friend a century ago was never meant to still be around today. And, yet, it is. They also know that’s exactly what makes it fascinating, at least to some.
It’s a glimpse into another era, how people lived and what they cared about. Collectors of ephemera delight in discovering arcane details as well as a big-picture perspective of days gone by.
In this episode of Rare Book Cafe, Victorian ephemera collector shares some of the funny (or blatantly cheeky valentines with insulting poems) in her collection, and shares some background and insight into these novelty items.
Suffice it to say that these bits of ephemera carry a sentiment that’s far from the 1937 Rodgers and Hart song My Funny Valentine.
You can see valentines from Barbara Loe's collection as well as ephemera collections of other exhibitors at the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair March 7-8 at The Coliseum in downtown St. Petersburg.
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