Evelyn's Valentines

My grandma! Honestly, I think she saved every greeting card that she ever got! I recently found an envelope addressed "To Mama" and there were several Valentines inside. Let's look at a few.

Measuring about 3" across, this purchased Valentine was given to Evelyn (my grandma) by her daughter Mary (my mom). Mom must have been only about five years old at the time, judging from her handwriting. Was she in the habit of calling her mama Evelyn? I can't imagine it. I think it's much more likely she'd just recently learned her mama's first name and was trying it out.

This little handmade gem is about 2.5" across, about the size of a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Was this one given before or after the previous one? The printing seems more confident to me, so I'd guess it was the year after. Notice the ribbon drawn on the front of the card. It's similar in concept to the one on the card below.

Above: back and front of card

Below: inside of card

Closed, this card measures 3" wide and 4.5" tall. What does the "52" mean on the front of the card? Your guess is as good as mine. I can think of no explanation for it. But again, notice the ribbon drawn on the front. It's become pretty sophisticated:

It's a peek-a-boo now, and pretty tidily cut, too!

But what about FROM YOUR DAUGHTER? Evelyn had two daughters. Which one made this card, Bonnie or Mary? Again, I can only guess. I do suspect it was Mary though, not only because of the similarity in printing but also because the drawing of the ribbon is pretty similar to that on the previous card. I remember some of my own drawings from when I was a kid--I had a bed concept and a stairway concept in my head, and I repeated both in many drawings, never varying them much.

Happy Valentine's Day!