Six antique Valentine postcards from the Golden Age of postcards — embossed, postmarked, handwritten — including a Raphael Tuck & Sons collector card.
Description
Six little love letters that survived over a century.
This lot of six antique Valentine's Day postcards spans roughly 1905 to 1912 — the height of the Golden Age of postcards, when Americans were mailing more cards per capita than at any time before or since.
Five of the six were actually sent and received, complete with original handwriting, stamps, and postmarks. One card is unposted but just as charming.
Together they represent several different design styles, printing techniques, and a surprisingly wide geography of senders and recipients across Indiana, Michigan, and beyond.
Details
Lot includes: 6 antique Valentine postcards
Approximate dates: Circa 1905–1912 (most postmarked; see individual card notes)
Card 1 — Cupid With Love (Red Border): Embossed. Cupid in pink with bouquet, surrounded by a red border of red and gold hearts. Text: 'With Love.' Postmarked Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb 12, 191[?]. Sent to Miss Anna Jones, Jones Landing, Syracuse, Indiana. Message: 'With Love from Louise Douglas.' 1-cent Franklin stamp.
Card 2 — Raphael Tuck 'Flora' Series: Premium embossed. Gold hammered-texture background. Lily-of-the-valley wreath frames a red oval portrait of Cupid writing at a desk. Blue heart with arrow below. 'To My Valentine.' Tuck's Post Card / Carte Postale back with publisher mark. Postmarked, sent to Miss Anna Bone, Syracuse, Indiana. 1-cent stamp. Highly collectible publisher.
Card 3 — 'Lonesome' (Romantic Photo-Style): Photographic-style illustration of a young woman in a pink dress gazing at a man's portrait glowing inside a heart-shaped window. Text: 'I am lonesome when You are away / Lonesome.' Series No. 750. Sent to Albert Sherman, signed 'Armelle Bonte.' No postmark visible.
Card 4 — Gold Heart with Poppies (Flower Series No. 10): Embossed. Cream background. Gold heart tied with a blue satin-style bow ribbon. Orange and red poppies, blue cornflowers. 'To my Valentine.' Copyright Nash 1910. 'From Brandon' to Inga Russell. Unposted.
Card 5 — Scenic Lake with Butterfly: Embossed. Pastoral lakeside scene with sailboat, golden sunset. Pink roses and a large yellow swallowtail butterfly in foreground. Elegant silver script: 'To My Valentine.' Unposted. Clean back.
Card 6 — Purple Violets and Red Heart (Printed in Germany): Embossed. Sage green damask-style background. Rich cluster of purple violets above a large red heart with elaborate embossed gold quiver, arrows, and bow. 'To my Valentine' in red and gold. Printed in Germany. Sent from Edwina to Miss Myrtle Wittmann, 1316 Hancock St., Saginaw, W.S., Michigan.
Publisher noted: Raphael Tuck & Sons (Card 2); Nash copyright 1910 (Card 4); Printed in Germany (Card 6)
Measurements (approx.): Standard divided-back postcard size, approx. 5.5 × 3.5 inches each
Material: Printed cardstock; embossed construction on most cards
Colors: Red, gold, blue, purple, green, orange, cream, pink, ivory
Age estimate: Approximately 110–120 years old
Storage: All cards are stored in a climate-controlled environment and kept in individual protective sleeves until shipment.
Condition
Card 1 (With Love/Red Border): Grade: Good+ — Colors vivid; some age toning on back; postmark and writing legible. Light wear at edges consistent with being mailed.
Card 2 (Raphael Tuck Flora): Grade: Very Good — Embossing crisp and well-defined. Gold texture background rich. Some age toning on back. Postmark and address legible. Front presents beautifully for a 115-year-old card.
Card 3 (Lonesome): Grade: Good — Some corner wear and edge wear consistent with age. Photographic illustration shows some minor surface fading typical of this era's printing. Back has legible writing.
Card 4 (Poppies/Gold Heart): Grade: Very Good — Embossing well-preserved. Colors vivid and bright. Minor age-related toning. Back clean and legible.
Card 5 (Scenic/Butterfly): Grade: Very Good — Clean and crisp. Embossing intact. No significant flaws visible in photos. Back unused and clean.
Card 6 (Violets/Red Heart): Grade: Very Good — Embossing on gold quiver/heart is exceptional and three-dimensional. Vibrant colors. Back shows light wear; writing legible. 'Printed in Germany' mark visible.
See all photos for detail — sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key:
Near Fine: Near perfect with only the slightest signs of age
Very Good: Minor wear; displays beautifully
Good: Noticeable wear but complete and displayable
Fair: Heavy wear; collectible for content, not condition
Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)
- Photo-verified condition (no surprises)
- Packed with our protective packaging standard
- Ships in 1 business day
- Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)
Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions
