Lessons in love: Victorian Valentine's cards unearthed in shoebox give modern day bachelors lessons in romance

A collection of Victorian Valentine's cards have fetched £100 at auction after being found lying in a dusty shoebox.
The collection of charming and sentimental Valentine's cardsThe collection of charming and sentimental Valentine's cards
The collection of charming and sentimental Valentine's cards

The 120-year-old cards give a fascinating insight into how attitudes towards wooing and courtship have changed since the 1880s.

The collection of charming and sentimental messages from would-be lovers were discovered in a shoebox.

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One of the notes, which is headed "To my love", describes their lover's "bright glances like sunbeams" and "sweet voice music, whispering low".

The antique cards sold for 100The antique cards sold for 100
The antique cards sold for 100

The antique cards sold for £100 after going under the hammer on Saturday at Hanson's Auctioneers in Teddington, London.

Another of the romantic messages reads: "Could I be untrue to thee?

"Ne'er while life remain-eth.

"Hard indeed indeed that heart must be,

The Victorians have given us all a lesson in the art of romanceThe Victorians have given us all a lesson in the art of romance
The Victorians have given us all a lesson in the art of romance

"Which thine own e'ver paineth,

"Then, oh, then believe me true

"While life shall endure for you."

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: "I found them in a shoebox and it was love at first sight.

The antique cards sold for 100The antique cards sold for 100
The antique cards sold for 100
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"The sweet floral decorations, gentle colours and equally gentle wording talking of 'hope', are a delight.

"Today, some Valentine's cards appear very brash in comparison and often lack the delicacy of sentiment and meaning demonstrated to us by the Victorians.

"Sending a message of love to someone who may not know your feelings is a delicate matter and the simple charms of these Victorian cards remind us how it should be done, tastefully and elegantly.

"Likewise, cards perhaps meant for a long-term sweetheart are equally appealing, comparing a voice to music and 'bright glances like sunbeams'.

The Victorians have given us all a lesson in the art of romanceThe Victorians have given us all a lesson in the art of romance
The Victorians have given us all a lesson in the art of romance
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"Another asks, 'Could I be untrue to you? Ne're while life remaineth'.

"Thanks to the discovery of these cards, the Victorians have given us all a lesson in the art of romance in time for February 14 2018."

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