Did you know that Esther Howland, class of 1847, was “mother of the American valentine”? Valentine cards had existed for centuries but in the U.S. at that time, they were simple. Howland came across valentines from England which were elaborate but expensive. She decided to make something similar and cheaper. Howland set up shop at home and along with some friends, created an assembly line to fill orders. She was a businesswoman and an innovator, creating three dimensional cards using lace and wafer paper. Howland’s legacy includes popularizing Valentine’s cards, leading to a multi-billion dollar industry.
Come check out ASC’s valentine collection!
An intricate and lacy Valentine card in white, pale blue, red, and grey with an image of a delicate flower at the center.