Contained within the unassuming binding above lies a secret treasure trove of Victorian ephemera. Compiled between 1872 and 1878 by none other than Helen Leech Potter, Beatrix Potter’s mother, this quarto volume is an album of cards for Valentine’s Day and Christmas given to young Beatrix, beginning when she was six years old. The cards are mostly from family (especially “Mama” and “Papa” and “Grandmama Leech”) and family friends like the Gaskells, Nurse MacKenzie, Dora Hollins, and a certain Mr Goul. Perhaps few artifacts remain that can rival the perfection with which this album documents the ornate and frilly taste of the late 19th century English middle class.

Located at the head of the front free endpaper, this inscription indicates that the album itself was an 1872 Valentine’s gift for Beatrix (full name Helen Beatrix Potter) from her affectionate mother.

“From MacKenzie 1872”, Helen Potter’s inscription inside the card shown above. “Mackenzie” was Beatrix’s nurse.
![Leaf [6]. This leaf is one of many with sections or cards cut away, perhaps by Beatrix for a later project.](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.princeton.edu/cotsen/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2016/02/leaf6.jpg?resize=500%2C730&ssl=1)
Leaf [6]. This leaf is one of many with sections or cards cut away, perhaps by Beatrix for a later project.
![Card at top of leaf [6], unfortunately, we might never know "What makes a husband like a little dog".](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.princeton.edu/cotsen/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2016/02/leaf6upclose.jpg?resize=494%2C710&ssl=1)
Card at top of leaf [6] from “Aunt Mary 1873.”. Unfortunately, we won’t ever know “Why is a husband like a little dog?”
![Card on Leaf [11], "Grandmama Leech 1874", perhaps in a bid to win Beatrix's affections. . .](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.princeton.edu/cotsen/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2016/02/leaf11.jpg?resize=500%2C621&ssl=1)
Card on leaf [11], “Grandmama Leech 1874,” perhaps in a bid to win Beatrix’s affections? This is by far the largest card. . .
![Card on leaf [14], "MacKenzie 1874", including a](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.princeton.edu/cotsen/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2016/02/leaf14.jpg?resize=584%2C282&ssl=1)
Card on leaf [14], “MacKenzie 1874”, includes altered lines from William Wordsworth’s To the Daisy (1807) reading: “When smitten by the morning ray,/ I see thee rise, alert and gay;/ Then, cheerful flower, my spirits play/ With kindred gladness.”
![Card at top of leaf [29], "Bertram 1878", Walter Bertram Potter's first card to his older sister Beatrix., when he was 4 years old.](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.princeton.edu/cotsen/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2016/02/leaf29top.jpg?resize=584%2C508&ssl=1)
Card at top of leaf [29], “Bertram 1878”, Walter Bertram Potter’s first card to his older sister Beatrix, when he was 4 years old.

Though Valentine’s Day cards have changed a lot in style since the Victorians shared them with friends and family, we have them to thank for the perfecting the mass production of cards and promoting their distribution.
If you still haven’t gotten a card for your sweetie, I hope you can draw some inspiration here for a last-minute tribute.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Cotsen and Beatrix Potter!