When most of us think of Valentine’s Day, we think of declaring love for someone with a special card, that is usually fancy, beautiful, and adorned with hearts and flowers. However, it was not always like this!
The Victorians had a custom of sending ‘Vinegar Valentines’ to people they did not much care for. These cards were sold in the United States and Britain, from the middle 19th century to the early 20th century. Also called comic valentines, these cards were decorated with garish caricatures and featured a short line or poem that, rather than offer a message of love and affection, it criticized, rejected, and/or insulted the recipient. They were often sent without a signature, enabling the sender to speak without fear. Oh, and for added spice, the recipient of these insults paid the postage on delivery :-).
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