, 1881-02-13

Of all kinds Of business, but largely, also, to
the very extensive use Of Christmas, New
Years, and Easter cards, and the introduc-
ton Of similar cards for the purpose of VAL
entines, This has made the custom fashion,
able among persons who had long reln-
uuished valentines OF the ordinary patterns,
and has directed fresh attention to the old
usage.
Valentine cards, which have long been
very popular in England, were introduced in
this country to slight extent several years
ago, and last year they were used largely.
This season the demand for them is still great
er, and the designs which are Of wide variety,
include many of much beauty. Great guam
titles have been made in this country, and
many of them hive been Imported from
noted foreign makers Of such articles, Some
of these cards display elegant embossed
work, and others are Of satin, hand-painted,
with borders Of silk fringe. The prices OF
the cards have wide range, being from two
or three cents to dollar apiece.
All valentines which are not cards or of
the stcou,ic''' variety are adorned with lace
paper, which custom has made an indispun-
sable requisit This lnccwork forms one Of
the chief items Of the cost OF the valentines,
as all Of it1s imported from England. 1t
could be made equally, well i'll this country,
signs would be so great aS to prevent do
mestic manufacture. This English manu-
facturers cai. afford this expense because Of
the greater popularity OF valentines in Eli
gland where there is 4 good demand even
for those which cost two or three guineas
apiece.
ditiun to the cards mentioned, are the cameo
valentines and the alleged comic ones which
are called mastodons." The latter are a
TIC
styles, with their silapcleSs colored wood
cuts and abusive verses. The new ones are
made in long slips, of better PAPER than the
old kind, and are coloreI, photo-eng cravings
from crayon drawings. lille Inscriptions are
to excite smile rather than to give offense.
Still, valentines of this SPECIES, a well-known
manufacturer declared today, always have
been and always will be largely used for the
purpose of anonymous insults. His expert
entil1e was sent for this object by Il man,
hundred were sent by women in order to
crafty petty malice. X man usually sent
such a valentine as a joke, like q customer OF
his, some years. ago: VINO n9nght $50 copies
of 4 single design and mailed them to his
friends and business correspondents in all
parts Of the country, with directions to re-
mail them to one person IN this city.
In consequence of increased facilities for
trite in comparison with their cost twenty
years ago. A.gross, which used to bring IS,
is now sold for 80 cents. Tie retail price of
the .'MaStodOns" is (: cent apiece
The cameo valentines are 50 called because
their colored groundwork is embossed with
white figures, resembling the tracery on a
stone cut in relief. The inevitable lace pa
per surrounds some pretty picture Or tender
sentiment displayed in the centre. The re-
tail price Of these specimens varies from
three cents to a dollar. some OF the cheaper
The most expensive valentines are sold in
boxes, which cost much more than their fra
gile contents: These boxes are of ortta-
mental wickerwork, or are covered with
satin, often handsomely painted. while
some have plate glass covers, or 4
mirror inserted in the lid, so that they are
suitable and permanent ornaments for a
lady's dressing-table. The valentines which
they contain are MASSES Of delicate lace
paper and chenille. enclosing picture or IN
atfectionate Inscription. Elegant toys of this
for them is Of course comparatively small.
Nearly all of the box valentines sold here
are made in this country, rs there is a duty
of rs per centum upon the lace paper articles.
and Of TO per centum upon the satin-covered
casket.
4 gentleman who has been an extensive
manufacturer OF .ralelltiF1es for long period
said to-day that the demand for valentines
this year had been larger than at any pre-
vious time since the War. The demand came
equally from all parts Of tle country and
cradle stock, expected so brisk 4 trade that
they had sent to this city for additional sup
plies. OF COMIC valentines alone he had al
ready sold three millions this season.