Esther Howland (Age 19) Created Something Special for Valentine’s Day
Esther Howland (age 19) created something special for Valentine’s Day. You can, too. We’ll learn more about Esther, but first, let’s reminisce a bit about Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is Special
Did you exchange valentine cards with friends when you were a child? For me, Valentine’s Day was always a special occasion at school. The teachers handed out classroom lists and stressed the importance of not overlooking anyone. I learned later that the day before Valentine’s Day, many teachers gave craft supplies or a purchased box of valentines to anyone who didn’t have some to give to their classmates.
Our valentine cards were always fairly simple. Even the ones bought at the store were just colorful illustrations but we thought they were the grandest things ever.
Those little cards—whether purchased or homemade—made everyone feel special. Of course, the ones with a red sucker taped to them or a few of those conversation hearts tucked inside were an extra treat.
School lessons seemed a little more relaxed on Valentine’s Day. Time was set aside to see how many words we could create out of the word “Valentine.” We looked forward to the rare moment of enjoying cupcakes in the classroom.
Plus, we crafted artistic, construction paper pockets to hold the cards we would receive. And then, a grand procession of kids lined up to place a little Valentine card in every student’s construction paper pocket.
After school, that feeling of specialness followed us home as we spread the valentines across our floors and reread their little verses.
Such was the history of my childhood valentines. You may have heard about the history of Valentine’s Day, but have you heard about “The Mother of the American Valentine”?
Esther’s Special Creations
Back in the Victorian era, Esther Howland, at age nineteen, created something special. She was the first to popularize elaborately handmade, lace Valentines in America and began an enormous business venture because of them.
With hopes of receiving two hundred dollars in orders after her first Valentine samples went out, she was astounded to receive orders worth five thousand dollars.
Eventually, she was managing 100,000 dollars a year. That’s a significant sum of money today. Think of it’s worth in the 1800’s. It’s comparable to earning almost $322,000 today.
Esther and her teams of women spent many hours working hard for their money.
Uniquely designed using die-cuts, multiple layering, and embossed features, Esther’s cards were also known for their bright colors, fancy lace, and intricate details. People raved over the hidden doors and envelopes where sweethearts could place a love note, a lock of hair, or a piece of jewelry.
Besides becoming an entrepreneur, what else can we learn about Esther Howland?
Educated
We don’t know if Esther loved school or not. We do know she attended Mount Holyoke Female College and Seminary.
The 1846-47 student handbook for Holyoke tells us Esther studied the following her senior year:
Playfair’s Euclid finished, Wood’s Botany continued, Olmsted’s Natural Philosophy, Paley’s Natural Theology, Upham’s Mental Philosophy, in two volumes, Whateley’s Logic, Wayland’s Moral Philosophy, Butler’s Analogy, and Milton’s Paradise Lost.
All the members of the school attend regularly to composition, reading
and calisthenics.Instruction is given in vocal music, in linear and perspective drawing, and in French. Those who have attended to instrumental music can have the use of a piano a few hours in a week. Regular lessons are also given to those who specially request it.
-Mount Holyoke Seminary. (1846). Mount Holyoke College Annual Catalog, 1846-1847. Five College Compass – Digital Collections; J.S. & C. Adams, Printers.
Maybe Esther’s creativity blossomed during her drawing classes. Perhaps she also developed an eye for innovative ideas there, for Holyoke was a school that educated strong and inspiring women. The poet Emily Dickinson attended Holyoke at the same time as Esther.
Esther came from a prominent family who could afford to send her to further her education. Holyoke was one of the few college settings available for women during the Victorian era.
It’s interesting to note the college held Valentine’s Day festivities during Esther’s time there but later banned them for being too “frivolous.”
But perhaps it was at Holyoke that Esther developed an appreciation for artistic beauty and the confidence to try new things.
Foundation of Faith
Information about Esther Howland’s foundation of faith
I inquired to see if Esther’s religious affiliation was on record at Holyoke. A representative from their Archives Department said affiliations were not recorded in 1847 “likely because students were assumed protestant Christian.”
In addition, the archives representative sent me a link to view the handbook Esther received her senior year. It stated for students to bring a Bible, various hymn books and mentioned: “a Commentary on the Bible will also be found very useful.”
“Students were required to attend church services, chapel talks, prayer meetings, and Bible study groups. Twice a day teachers and students spent time in private devotions. Every dorm room had two large lighted closets to give roommates privacy during their devotions.”
“Daily Life at Mount Holyoke”. mtholyoke.edu. Archived from the original on January 13, 2010. Retrieved 2006-09-01.
Business-Savvy
Some of Esther’s business-savvy probably came from her family’s business, the largest book and stationery store in Worcester, Massachusetts.
It was one of her father’s business associates who first introduced Esther to an elaborate and expensive valentine from England. That’s when she knew she could design exquisite valentines for America if her father would order her supplies from Europe.
After the successful reception of her samples, she hired friends and set up an assembly line in her home where all of the cards were made by hand.
Her business grew and five years later she merged businesses with Edward Taft and they formed the New England Valentine Company.
(Photo in the public domain).
Courageous
Although success came early for Esther due to the connections she had through her family’s business, she was still courageous in her pursuits.
I think of how many young people graduate from college today and have difficulty finding a job using their degree. Many have to move back home
Esther’s story teaches us about perseverance and courage. She had an idea and went after it.
In a time period not that hospitable to women, especially as entrepreneurs, she went places and conducted business on her own. Her determination to create something special required nerves st
It also took courage to step away from her business when the time came to take care of her ailing father. Her love and devotion to family were more important to her than controlling her company on a day-to-day basis.
Also, just because she had money, it didn’t mean things were always easy for Esther. Due to a knee injury, she worked from a wheelchair during the last fifteen years of her career before retiring.
Something Special for Valentine’s
Esther Howland was dubbed “The Mother of the American Valentine” yet she never married. You don’t have to be married to leave a legacy of love.
And neither does anyone have to be young or rich to make someone feel special. Love is shown through kindness in words and deeds.
This Valentine’s Day, be thoughtful.
Be creative and courageous.
Don’t overlook anyone.
Share your thoughts with us. What ideas do you have for helping people feel special this Valentine’s Day?
References
Rosin, Nancy. “Esther Howland: Mother of the American Valentine.” Victorian Treasury: The Valentine Resource. Jun. 2001. Web. 20 Jan. 2014. http://www.victoriantreasury.com/howland.htm
Mount Holyoke Seminary. (1846). Mount Holyoke College Annual Catalog, 1846-1847. Five College Compass – Digital Collections; J.S. & C. Adams, Printers.
pastispresent.org/2011/good-sources/“mother-of-the-valentine”-esther-howland-worcester-and-the-american-valentine-industry/
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Victorian Valentines Postcard Book |
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Love Worth Finding (ESV), Pack of 25 Tracts |
