‘Valentine writers’ were collections of verses to be sent on St Valentine’s Day by those who could not compose their own amorous verses. They were most popular from the 1830s to the 1850s, but were produced from the end of the 18^th century until c. 1875. Trades valentine writers were a popular category, with each verse relating to a different trade. This rather elegant frontispiece from The New Trades Valentine Writer is a superior example of the genre. Dating from c. 1845, it shows both trades and professions.

Other categories of valentine writer include gentlemen’s, ladies’ quizzical and satirical, and such titles as Bower of love, Court of love and Cupid’s repository; or, lover’s mart.