The Art of the Bestselling Romantic Cards – 5 Images and the Stories Behind Them

Romantic postcards and greeting cards are charming little love notes that travel through mailboxes instead of inboxes. These miniature masterpieces were the original emojis, conveying everything from swooning admiration to playful flirtation to dad jokes. 

We may have a treasure trove of vintage visuals for every occasion, but the ones we fall head over heels for are the ones that capture the art of romance in timeless and unexpected ways. We sorted through our Valentine’s Day images to share five bestselling romance-related images. Some are cute, some quirky, but each tells a tale as old as time.  

1. LOVE Penguins – When Love is as Cool as Ice 

Penguins as relationship goals? Who knew? Waddling through life side by side or huddling together for warmth, these dapper little birds have long symbolized loyalty and lifelong love. Even though they are flightless, they are tenacious, well-dressed survivalists! This sweet postcard reminds us that love, like the Antarctic, takes endurance (and a good sense of humor). 

2. Cat in a Dress – True Love is Always a Little Extra 

Move over, cute cat reels. Vintage postcards and greeting cards celebrated blood pressure-reducing felines long before social media caught on. A cat in a dress might seem absurd today, but in the early 1900s, anthropomorphic animals were all the rage. These sassy, well-dressed kitties exuded confidence and playfulness, often accompanied by cheeky phrases perfect for teasing a sweetheart. Make #Caturday every day with a postcard of this crazy cat. 

3. Cowboy Valentine – Lassoing Your Heart 

Nothing says "romance," like a rugged cowboy tipping his hat and tapping his boots. Western-themed valentines were especially popular in the early 20th century when tales of the Wild West captured the public’s attention and imagination. It’s full “Brokeback Mountain” vibes without the heartbreak and with a little more vintage flair. 

4. Valentine Gas Pump – Fueled by Love 

Love runs on many things, like passion, patience, and gasoline. With car culture booming in the 50s, vintage pumps and Valentine’s puns were on cruise control. This cheeky station attendant is at your service to fill your tank with love. Don’t forget to tip! 

5. Valentine Onion – Love with Layers 

Romance, like onions, has layers. Some vintage cards feature food metaphors to express more complex emotions like love. One might say the bulbous aromatic root symbolizes the rollercoaster of love. After all, sometimes love makes you laugh, and sometimes it makes you cry.  

Vintage Valentines Still Capture Our Hearts 

In today’s world of Snapchat and grammatically incorrect texts, vintage postcards with romantic (and comedic) images remind us that love doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, all we need to feel loved and admired is a clever pun, a charming illustration, and a little effort. 

Whether you’re a small business looking to stock up on nostalgic goods or a hopeless romantic searching for a unique way to say “You’re cute,” our curated collection of vintage love postcards and greeting cards has something for every shopper. So go ahead and send a little love the old-fashioned way. After all, nothing says romance quite like a gas-pumping cherub or a cat in couture.