A couple of beautiful prints – actually book plates – that I acquired this past week lead to today’s focus.  A pair of images removed from a book.  A book called ‘The Quiver of Love – A Collection of Valentines Ancient and Modern’ by various authors published in 1876.  The book contains 8 lithographs 4 each by #WalterCrane (1845-1915) and #KateGreenaway (1846-1901).  I hope I have found the correct titles for them.

Venus and Cupid
by Walter Crane from ‘The Quiver of Love’ 1876

Cherry-Ripe by Walter Crane from ‘The Quiver of Love’ 1876

Eight wonderfully coloured lithographs by a couple of the best artists of their time.  Both of these, I believe, are by Walter Crane.  The book was compiled of ‘love lyrics’ all capable of being used as ‘Valentines’ while the book itself was meant to be used as a gift book or as an indication of an even deeper regard.  The lyrics or poems spanned time from Shakespeare (ancient) to Coleridge (modern).  #TheQuiverofLove a book about love for lovers.

Certainly when it comes to #Valentines, the Victorian era was an high point.  It was a very romantic time and the giving of cards exploded greatly when the penny post began.  Valentines then like Christmas now was a time when the postal service became over-loaded and every year an appeal went out to post your cards early so they might not get delayed in the vast quantity of cards being sent.  I will let four cards in my collection speak for themselves.  #Paper-lace was a speciality  in Victorian times.  I hope you enjoy the supreme quality of the cards which were used to express their sentiments.

Valentine 1 – paper lace from the Victorian era

Valentine 2 – paper lace from the Victorian era

Valentine 3 – paper lace from the Victorian era

Valentine 4 – paper lace from the Victorian era