The Fishing Valentine: A Photographic History (Part II)

The Fishing Valentine: A Photographic History (Part II)

The Fishing News of the Week will run tomorrow (Tuesday).

As we stated last year in our Ode to the Fishing Valentine , Valentine's Day started as a Victorian British tradition but began to take off in America around the end of the nineteenth century.

During the early part of the last century, the tradition of bringing Valentines to school to give to classmates began. Most of us fondly remember toting a brown paper bag full of Valentines to distribute in class.

One of the traditional themes of the Valentine's Day card was fishing. Based on original Victorian designs which often showed Cupid fishing for hearts, by the 1920s it had morphed into one of the most common motifs. What follows are 12 representative valentines from the 1890s to the 1970s.

Believe it or not, Fishing-themed Valentines are quite collectable. I was able to purchase a number of these for $2-$5 each, but some of them -- especially those showing actual tackle like a rod, reel, or lure -- can bring twice as much. And of course, the older ones and the colorful ones tend to be more valuable, as long as they are in good shape.

Go ahead and print out a fishing-themed Valentine to share with your sweetheart! They will thank you for it!













Of course, if you really want a Fishing Valentine, you could do worse that a classic 1970s Valentine fly reel!


So Happy Valentines day to everyone out there!

-- Dr. Todd

The Fishing Valentine: A Photographic History

The Fishing Valentine: A Photographic History

Valentine's Day started as a Victorian British tradition but really began to take off in America around the end of the nineteenth century. By 1910, the tradition of bringing Valentines to school to distribute to classmates began and created a long-running tradition here in the United States for school kids of all backgrounds. Most of us recall toting a brown paper bag full of Valentines which were then given out to all students in the class, often with those godawful candy hearts that tasted like chalk.

One of the traditional themes of the Valentine's Day card was fishing. Based on original Victorian designs which often showed Cupid fishing for hearts, by the 1920s it had morphed into one of the most common motifs. What follows are 25 representative American valentines from the 1890s to the 1970s.

Believe it or not, Fishing-themed Valentines are quite collectable. I was able to purchase a number of these for $2-$5 each, but some of them -- especially those showing actual tackle like a rod, reel, or lure -- can bring twice as much. And of course, the older ones and the colorful ones tend to be more valuable, as long as they are in good shape.

So this Valentine's Day, print out a fishing-themed Valentine to share with your sweetheart! They will thank you for it!



























-- Dr. Todd

Time

Mornings should be exciting. I remember when they were ... so many possibilities were at the tip of my fingertips. An empty city where all the lights are green, and 400 HP is on demand under the hood. Remember falling in love, being extemporaneous, and being free to fly wherever the wind blew? I do.
I wake up now with dread. I know what I am in for, and the alarm clock is like a ticking time bomb. With such a negative start to this post, it may seem that finding a positive ending would be futile, but what follows is serenity.
I get home thanking God the day is over. A massive peace and joy overpowers my entire essence. I am not really sure why, but blogging takes my mind far from the 12 hour days of stress and toil. Freedom ... I can write anything I want, communicate with friends, listen to Pandora Radio with the headphones on high playing my hand picked favorites from 20 years ago. Right now I am listening to "Bread". I had all but forgotten about this band until a line of comments a while back reminded me of them. Ahhhh - I love just talking in comments, sort of a mini Twitter, or instant messenger right on my blog.
I guess what you know of happiness is dictated by the hardships you endure. The comparison of joy vs pain. I hear people say they are "bored" and it blows me right off my chair. I NEVER have enough time do do the things I like. Right now with a "day off" ahead of me and smiling faces to share the holiday with, I have that soda fizz bubbling up kind of feeling. I love that feeling.
Times have changed, and I have followed suit. When I was 18 I wanted to be anywhere but home. Now ... it is my solace.



. . . If you peek in the window, you will see me with a grin and a some chicken. Speedy likes chicken.

Have a blessed and wonderful holiday everyone. Thanks for taking the time to be here for a moment in Hollydale.