Albert L. Kalman collection of Valentines, 1880-1920

Collection

Identifier: A2006-011

Scope and Contents

This collection of valentines has many kinds of styles including: mechanical, pull-down, honeycomb, postcard, and hand-made. Most of the cards are chromolithographs, with images of flowers, little children, lovers courting. Publishers include Sam Gabriel of New York, E. P. Dutton of New York, Raphael Tuck & Sons of London, and Louis Prang & Co. of Boston.

Dates

Creation: 1880-1920

Creator

Kalman, Albert L. (Person)
E.P. Dutton & Co. (New York, N.Y.) (Publisher, Organization)
Raphael Tuck & Sons (Publisher, Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials in this collection may be governed by copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights. Please contact the Archivist regarding permission to publish material.

Full Extent

124 item/s

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Index by title in each folder in archival storage boxes

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Vivienne Kalman in Memory of Albert L. Kalman

Advertisement for Exhibition

Valentines from the Kalman Collection, 1910-1920 January 31 through March 8, 2009

Romantic Valentine greetings have been popular as far back as the Middle Ages, when lovers said or sang their verses to their sweeties. Today we are most familiar with the pretty paper variety. Each year, the Van Gorden-Williams Library presents a delightful display of antique Valentines from its collection. Smiling puppies and impish cherubs, lovely maidens and heartsick gentlemen, the characters on these charming cards convey their messages of love to sweethearts of long ago. Many of the 25 cards on view stand up or feature moving parts, showing an inventiveness rarely seen in cards today.

This antique valentine collection originally belonged to Albert Kalman, who owned and managed Kimbal's Camera and Card shop in downtown Boston for 35 years. His wife, Vivienne, donated the collection in his memory. Each year, Mr. Kalman decorated his shop with these vintage cards to celebrate Valentine's Day. Visit us and carry on the tradition!