DAR | Museum - Featured Objects

In each issue, the bimonthly DAR magazine, American Spirit, highlights an object from the DAR Museum collection in its "National Treasures" feature. These objects, often recent accessions or important pieces in the current exhibit, always have a story to tell about American history.

National Treasures

Isn't It Romantic

These three Late Victorian valentines chosen from more than 40 in the DAR Museum collection are lavishly romantic and in pristine condition. Lacy cutouts frame all three examples: a young girl reading, another young girl with a bouquet, and Cupid perched in a bower of flowers surrounded by turtledoves. No less flowery are the verses written inside.

Inside the valentine featuring the diligent young reader is a poem titled “Undying Love.” After repeating “love” eight times, it concludes:

“I love thee!
With undying love,
Immortal,
And Sublime!”

The recipient noted that this valentine, received on February 14, 1880, was her first one. Daisy E. Stickney donated it to the DAR Museum in 1935. The remaining two, dating to about 1880â€“1900, are from a collection of 29 valentines donated by Ruth G. Stimson in 2002. They were sent or received by various family members over a number of years.