Sweet, Syrupy and Scary Vintage Valentines to Help You Celebrate Love the Old Fashioned Way
In DepthIn a world full of dating apps and divorces, it’s easy to look back on the courtship practices of the past through rose-colored lenses. While now, it’s all “butt stuff on the first date,” a suitor back then would win you over with charm, chivalry, and Valentines featuring creepy fat babies. (And if that didn’t work, he—and it would be a “he” because being gay could get you thrown in prison—could force you into marriage anyway. Aw, old fashioned romance!)
While there are many perks to living in the here and now (iPhones! Nicer toilets! A place in the job market!), looking back to the past can be very good fun. Which is why this February 14th, you should spend some time exploring the New York Public Library’s collection of archived Valentines.
There’s a Valentine for the woman you like to watch sleep in the park: