Ephemera — items enjoyed for only a brief time — collectibles are frequently printed materials like cards or tickets that give an insight into previous eras. Valentine’s Day cards are a popular collector’s item from this category. If you’re thinking about starting your own collection, the antique purchasing guide below will give you some insight into locating this type of memorabilia and determining its worth.  

What to Know About Valentine’s Day Cards

The oldest known Valentine’s greeting dates back to 1415 in France. However, it wasn’t until the 1800s that it became popular to send a loved one the well-known card of today. Each of these cards featured a unique theme and style. If you’re just beginning to collect these cards, knowing their unique traits and selecting one that interests you is the best way to begin your antique purchasing.

Eras are typically divided into Early Victorian (1850 through 1880), Later Victorian (1880 through 1900), Early 20th Century (1900 through the 1930s), and Mid-20th Century (1940 through 1960). However, you might also focus on the materials, designs, or features of the card. Some unique characteristics to consider include lace, silk, color lithography, honeycomb paper, children or animal shaped cuts, political or timely references, and mechanical parts. 

How to Start Collecting Valentine’s Day Cards

A good starting point for finding Valentine’s cards is your local antique dealer. Often, they will have an assortment of greeting cards. However, for specialized antique purchasing, it will likely be necessary to have the dealer contact other shops and to look online at popular auction and antique sites.

If you want to specifically locate valuable cards, narrow your search to the most interesting of the bunch. These should feature unique elements from the era when it was made, such as WWI, the moon landing, women’s rights, and celebrities. They should also be in good condition, which does not always mean excluding those with writing. 

After you’ve found one or more Valentine’s Day cards, bring them to Forsythe’s Antiques & Fine Art in Russellville, OH, for appraising. This antique dealer has years of experience appraising and buying vintage items from all over the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky regions. They offer fair and honest pricing on all collections, art, rare, and antiquated items. To schedule an appraisal or learn more about their memorabilia and fine art or antique purchasing, call them today at (513) 791-2323. You can also visit their website to learn more about the different items they buy.