What Is A Vinegar Valentine?
Pity a Poor Wounded Heart – Vinegar Valentine – Public Domain
So, what is a Vinegar Valentine? The name itself seems a contradiction and that friends, is the whole purpose of a vinegar valentine.
While Valentine’s Day is synonymous with love messages for lovers, during the Victorian era, it also became a day to send insulting or at least cheeky messages to your enemies according to Smithsonian Magazine. Because these messages were sent anonymously, Victorians felt they could get away with sending these insults via Valentine’s Day.
Some were meant to be playful or comic, while others could be down-right cruel. They were all typically decorated with garish characters and short poems or lines that were sure to insult the recipient. It seems there was something for everyone one might hate. Whether insulting a person’s looks, their occupation or sending a “go away” message, these cards were quick to the point. They were things no one would dare to say to someone’s face. You could compare them to trolling online today. So, times really have not changed that much have they.
Collecting Vinegar Valentines
According to Antique Trader, you can expect to pay for most cards between $5 and $40 but some can easily run in the $100 to $200 range. You can find vinegar valentines on sources such as Etsy and Ebay, and of course by shopping your local antique stores like the Rare Bird!
Rattlesnake Vinegar Valentine’s Day Card – Public Domain
From the 1840s to the 1940s these cards were mass-produced by a variety of card manufacturers in both America and England. They were printed on cheap paper and cost pennies a piece. To add insult to injury, the receiver of mail at the time had to pay for the postage – you got to pay for the insult you were receiving. While you can still find vinegar valentines, there are not that many of them around. They were not really something the receiver wanted to keep as a treasured memento.
Saleslady Vinegar Valentine’s Day Card – Public Domain
Greed Vinegar Valentine’s Day Card – Public Domain
Great Lover Vinegar Valentine’s Day Card – Public Domain
