In Lens

This is oldest surviving printed Valentine's card in the world.
The card was published on January 12, 1797, by John Fairburn of 146, Minories, London, and is currently housed at York Museums Gallery.

By the 1600’s Shakespeare wrote of Valentine’s Day in his play Hamlet. Ophelia says, “To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day, all in the morning betime, and I a maid at your window, to be your Valentine.” But it wasn’t until the early 1700’s that traditional Valentine cards were sent.
Lovers handmade the cards, decorating paper with flowers, love knots and poetry. The cards were slipped under their door or left on the door-knocker.

The card is decorated with Cupid and flowers and the verse around the borders read:
"Since on this ever Happy day,
All Nature's full of Love and Play
Yet harmless still if my design,
'Tis but to be your Valentine."

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