Valentines: Filled With Vinegar.
I know you’ve seen them; those cards with teasing sarcastic caricatures. We’ve all given one at some time or another. Well, we were unwittingly particpating in a most ancient ritual of courtship and social custom. It is also one of the most criticized and despised, cultural activities through the ages. These illustrations were often given in jest, for amusement, or I’m certain, in some cases to people you had a genuine dislike.
I found a story puportedly telling the origin of the comic valentines custom. It claims the practice dates back to Medieval times.
“The 14th of February is, or was, celebrated in England, Scotland, and France by a very peculiar custom.”
On the eve of St. Valentine’s Day, the unattached maids and bachelors would write thier names on paper and take turns drawing names of the opposite sex. The person whose name you have drawn then becomes your valentine…for an entire year! You would be each others designated partner ensuring at every social function everyone would be equally paired. It was reported that often the man stuck to the woman more often than the women to the man. “These imaginary engagements” often led to real ones but after a time a new tradition inserted itself. The Valentines revelers needed a way to rid themselves of the attentions from an undesirable. Enter, the comic valentine. Print sellers began preparing themselves by creating and selling many facetious creations. Certainly, a compatible sense of humor is a necessity in any lasting relationship. I have my own litmus test for potentials.
“What were Will Rogers’ last words?”
read to the bottom for the punchline.
The comic valentine seems to have been most popular from 1840–1940. One critic, Leigh Schmidt, states that the populatrity of these malicious and licentious “gifts” is directly related to increased chatter about women’s rights, especially, the desire to vote. She argues that these are not-so-subtle reminders to aspring and ambitious women that if they step out of the sphere of womanhood that they will then be subject to censure and ridicule.
Not Enough To Go Around — “What’s the matter with the two-headed girl?” She’s mad because she got only one valentine.”
I can’t deny that some may have been illustrated and doled with this motive but we have to note that the valentines featuring caricatures of men are just as outrageous.
“A young attorney of wadesboro, NC offers a reward for the arrest and conviction of the person who sent him an offensive-looking valentine.” — Cheyenne Transporter Darlington, Indian Territory, March 28, 1884
There are many stories in the newspapers that discuss the origin of Valentine’s Day and the practices surrounding it. Some state the comic valentine is as old as the sentimental and charming valentine. Other conjecture travels through time to the Roman celebration of Lupercalia. In these, the author is clearly not a fan, railing against the immoral practices of the ancient pagans and the cruel hearts that would spurn a potential lover in such a manner.
Despite the criticism they continue to be popular in Oklahoma. El Reno’s Post Office reported large sales of comic valentines in 1896. F. B. Lillie’s Drug Store, in Guthrie, advertised a wide and amusing assortment “sure to fit any sense of humor”. Several of the church and social functions incorporated them into Valentine Festivites. One social ball ripped comics in half. All those present, recieved one half and then were requried to spend the evening searching for their “other half”. Once matched they could then proceed to the dinner and refreshments table. Another version was employed by a youth program. The cards were again torn in half. One section was put in a lunch box each bachelor purchased a box and then tried to find his “match” among the ladies. Once found, they picnicked in the park.
Church leaders often discouraged the dispatchment of comic valentines. One pastor called them “abominations” and “immoral corruptions of an ancient and beautiful custom”. He accused those who would bend so low as to send one as “demoralizing, malicious, cruel in character, and an unprincipled coward”.
I dare say that comic valentine have caused a fair amount of trouble throughout the ages. There is no update in subsequent papers that update the reader on the condition of the poor man who was thrown down the cellar. I’m hoping there were only superficial wounds in comparison to the wife’s wounded heart.
A Mean Remark — “Yes,” said Homelyman, “She is positively the most disagreeable girl I ever met.” “Why do you say that?” “Because she told me yesterday that she never believed a comic valentine could come true until she saw me.”
Beaver Herald Thursday, February 10, 1898
Could Not Understand It — “There’s one thing,” said the practical joker, “that I could never understand.” “What is that?” “Why, when I can pick out such genuinely witty comic valentines to send out to my friends, they should make such blundering and brutal selections to send me.”
Talequah Sentinel February 9, 1899
Heed the lessons of history!
Don’t repeat the mistakes of ancestors. How many budding romances how been smashed by an ill-advised or a not-so-funny valentine?
If you are a last minute shopper, be wary, for the picking may be slim. Don’t settle for a cheap laugh. If a vinegar valentine is your only option, I believe you’d be better off to rent a movie, buy some ice cream, and make your own card.
Punchline: “PULL UP WILEY!”
Oklahoma history nerds should understand the joke but not many others will.
