Online valentines on display

Valentine's Day cards may be an overlooked expression of affection, but one of the Lilly Library's online exhibits attempts to show the time and consideration committed to the creation of cards in the Victorian era. \n"They are authentic 19th century cards," said Erika Dowell, public services librarian and author and designer of the online exhibit. \nThe exhibit, "A Flowering of Affection: Victorian Valentine Cards at the Lilly Library," features cards selected to illustrate the themes and stages of development in Victorian Valentine's Day cards. Unlike the cards that line the aisles of local retail stores today, these cards were personalized and impressive. \nA part of the Lilly Library collection, the cards that were scanned for the exhibit were handmade and "long involved the exchange of some token or small gift with one's valentine," according to the Web site. Feathers, beads, flowers and seeds were used to create these cards. Instead of a card format, valentines of 18th and 19th century England were often constructed on decorative paper or dyed lace. The exhibit notes that love was the common theme for the cards, but elements of humor and even insults often surfaced. Some cards were 3-D as well, displaying pictorial "pop-ups" or moveable "hidden messages of love and affection." \nDowell noticed a change in the cards as time passed. She explained that in the early 1840s Victorian cards were plain and used little color, relying on the decorative or lace paper to make them appealing. Closer to the 19th century, however, cards used color images with detail. Although she suspects everyone was able to exchange valentines, Dowell said she believes many of the valentine cards were exchanged by those in the middle class. \nThe lack of time to make handmade cards is what Dowell blames on the dying phenomenon. Many people simply purchase cards in stores today, leaving the creation, design and somewhat personalized message to Hallmark. \nDowell advises students wishing to make handmade cards to go to Pygmalion's Art Supplies downtown to pick up the desired paper and markers. She said the creation of the cards need not cause stress though, because the cards are simply meant to recognize the holiday while showing sentiment for family, friends or that special someone. \n"Use your imagination and the people who love you will like it no matter what," Dowell said. \n"A Flowering of Affection: Victorian Valentine Cards at the Lilly Library" is viewable at http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly/valentines/valentine.html, and students have the option of sending electronic cards featuring the Victorian cards on exhibit to others.