Valentine & Sons

Originally started in 1792 as a linen manufacturing business Valentines lasted in various forms for over 170 years. It was best known as a postcard publisher for and was based initially in Dundee before expanding into London and beyond. It was changed into a photographic publishing company by the founder’s son John Valentine (1815-1879) and soon after his death the company began to produce Christmas cards and in 1896 began printing postcards. Initially, they concentrated on Scottish views but by 1882 they had expanded and opened offices in the Caribbean, America, Canada and Norway. In 1902 they began to amass a stable of great artists and illustrators commissioned to produce illustrated postcards. Some of the names involved included Louis Wain and Mabel Lucie Atwell. Eventually, by 1929 they concentrated solely on the production of postcard. In 1963 the firm sold out to Waddington’s who in turn sold the business to Hallmark Cards in 1980. Other artists whose work was featured by Valentine’s included Cecil Aldin, Hilda Cowham, Harry Rountree, George Studdy and Lawson Wood.