I Think You’re X-Tra Special Valentine

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed wading through the ones we’ve found as much as we’ve enjoyed finding ’em. The day is here, so look quick and go do something with that special someone.

Close to one billion Valentines are sent each year; whether that be via mail or hand delivered. At last count, and that was 2010, an estimated 15 million e-valentines were sent.

The next time you shell out money for a valentine card, thank Esther Howland. Don’t look for her on Facebook or any other social media outlet. She’s been dead since 1904.

Her father owned the largest book and stationary store in the city of Worcester. He catered to his daughter’s wishes importing paper lace and floral decorations imported from England to create her own valentine cards. Her family was conscripted to further the endeavor. One brother with particularly good penmanship wrote the inscriptions. Her other brother who was a salesman began hawking the cards. Orders flooded in and friends and other family members were recruited to keep up with the deluge.

By 1850 she had turned the family business into an annual $100,000 success story. She retired in 1881, selling the business to the George C. Whitney Company, the New England Valentine Co.

With one last Valentine’s Day card to post, let’s go with Marvel’s Logan/Wolverine. While he may not seem to be the playboy Tony Stark is, Logan has had his share of lady friends. For example: Storm, Jean Grey, Mariko Yashisda, Mystique, Domino, Rogue, Silver Fox, Elektra, Itsu, Yukio, Black Cat, Lady Deathstrike and Snow Bird.

Again, happy Valentine’s Day, from us to you. We hope you like the card.