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by Tom Crenshaw
While awaiting execution in prison, St. Valentine
became friendly with the blind daughter of the
jailer, and on the eve of his execution wrote her a
farewell note, signing it, "From your Valentine."
It took Americans 16 centuries to adapt the custom
to romantic purposes, and then valentine greetings
were only simple handmade cards with ornate
designs and homemade verses.
A canny Yankee businesswoman put valentines
into mass production. Ester Allen Howland, only
daughter of a Massachusetts stationer and bookseller,
was graduated from college in 1847 and decided to
use her artistic ability to make valentine cards as a
paying hobby. Ester gave her brother, a traveling
salesman for her father's company, some samples of
her work. They hoped for at least 10 or 12 sales.
Instead of orders for $100 or $200, as expected, he
returned with orders totaling $5,000!
Within a year, Ester had established herself firmly
in the valentine business and soon branched out into
Christmas cards, New Year cards, and birthday
cards, as well as various booklets.
Others took up where Ester Howland left off, and
valentines have delighted' lovers and greeting-card
manufacturers and dealers ever since.
How many romances have been fostered by the
pretty cards and sweet verses will never be known,
but they brought no romance into the life of Ester
Howland. She died at 75, a spinster.
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They sound as good as they look
Where you see the Chevrolet OK. Used Car sign, recondition
ing is more than just a claim. It is a vital part of the six-point
OK Used Car and Truck program backed by the reputable
Chevrolet dealers in your community. Today your Chevrolet
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Here's why your Chevrolet dealer's OIC Used Cors ore six ways
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described. 6. Sold with a written warranty.
SEE YOUR LOCAL AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET DEALER
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