Vintage view: Victorian valentine cards

Kya deLongchamps looks at the ancient roots and courtly early expressions of St Valentine’s Day.

The sugar plastered, commercial binge-fest of hearts and flowers begins again. As we meekly dart the focus of our affection with a stiff red envelope, the real St Valentine remains a mysterious figure.

First of all, because of the political push-pull of early Christian politics and the powerful influence of hagiography (written saint’s lives), there are three men who may or may not have been our man.