Antique Original Valentine’s Card, Watercolour on Paper, 1815

A truly charming and beautifully crafted illustrated love letter and hand written original poem devoted to ‘Anna’.

The front features a large heart drawn in green laurel leaves on a dreamy pink background. In the centre of the heart there is a message spelt out using pictures, in the form of a rebus, a puzzle with words represented by pictures, in an almost emoji like manner fit for the Regency period. Interpreted as follows:

‘My dearest Angel, Accept the hand and burning heart of thy honest gentleman, to whom thou art much dearer than gold.’

The illustrations are terrifically painted in the most charmingly naive yet accomplished way. Surrounding the heart there is an illustration of cupids bow as well as the inscriptions ‘Constancy’ and ‘True Love’. The artist has also used gilding for the gold, some glitter surrounding the heart, metallic stars at the top and has embossed the border.

The reverse is inscribed with the poem:

‘Valentine

What is a Valentine sweet Anna say?
Is it a lover of a single day
Is it a trifler who with flame and dart,
Of painted paper, seeks to win your heart,
Is it the favorite of a morning glance,
Met with by accident and seen by chance,
If so I am not one to serve such terms,
With no false flame or as bad do I burn
In no fictitious sorrows do I deal,
It is no plaything passion that I feel
Device I've none, my tenderness to prove,
Without device, in sober truth I love,
In short the much I wish that you were mine;
I cannot wish to be your Valentine
To love and to be loved for one short day
No I will be yours for ever if I may. –
But should you some more favor'd lover choose,
Reject my passion and my heart refuse,
I'll quit this hated world, a victim to my love
To sing of "the Anna" in the realms above.’

Dating from the early 19th century Regency era, right at that romantic Jane Austen period.

The paper is watermarked with the maker ‘J. Green’ and dated ‘1815’. John Green bought the Hayle Mill in Kent in 1815 and made quality watercolour paper there throughout the 19th century. It was used by the likes of J.M.W. Turner and other well respected artists of the time.

Framed and glazed in a parcel gilt and ebonised ‘Hogarth’ frame. The frame appears to be of the period but more recently a framer has cleverly applied a perspex sheet to the back to reveal the poem.

The watercolour is in remarkable condition for its age it appears still vibrant and doesn’t appear faded. There is some slight wear as you would expect including some light discolouration and minor losses around the edge of the sheet but no serious issues. The reverse is in similar vintage condition as is the frame with only minor wear consistent with age.

Provenance: previously formed part of the Judith Howard collection of antique Valentines.

Approximate overall measurements: 28cm x 23.5cm x 2.5cm.

Delivery is £30 to the Mainland UK. If you live elsewhere please get in touch for an accurate quote. If you require shipping, please select this option at checkout.