Sailors' Valentines - by Shannon Webster

It was originally thought that the idle hours aboard the large four-masted schooners and whaling ships in the 1800’s was perhaps the time and place for crafting Sailors’ Valentines. However, it turned out that their creation was actually the brainstorm of two English brothers for a cottage industry on the island of Barbados. They employed local children and women to collect and make Valentines for sale to the sailors on the trade ships. Barbados was once considered the crossroads of the world and a major stopping point on long sea voyages. Here sailors could happily order or purchase  a Valentine to bring back home and give to a family member or loved one. Once a few decades had passed, the Valentines began to turn up in antique shops and upon opening some of the cases to repair broken shells, it was discovered that most of them were made in Barbados.    

 A true Sailors’ Valentine was said to include a flower or a heart in any form, and a special verse or message. Many of these pieces had messages inscribed with small seashells such as “Think of Me”, “Love the Giver” and “Forever and Ever”. Some of them could even be ourchased with a blank space in the center for the insertion of a picture, perhaps a wedding photo or a photo of the sailor and his sweetheart. These works of art were always made in octagonal wooden boxes that represent the eight points of the nautical Compass Rose. They were often two sided (double) and hinged in the center, covered with a glass overlay and were frequently secured with a heart shaped lock. When closed, the shell work was hidden and the glass protected so that the Valentines could be stored safely for travel. It has been discovered that other Valentines were made during the Victorian era and were later described as “fancy work for ladies”. Possibly some of the shells used in these pieces were gathered by sailors on their sea journeys. Some of the antique vintage Valentines sell for as much as $60,000 - $80,000 and upwards. This makes current Valentine prices seem moderate and affordable in comparison, especially for an art form so beautiful that it has withstood the true test of time.