Margaret Evans Price - Illustrator, Toy Designer, Valentine Artist

Valentine Greetings I'd like to be your Valentine.

5" x 7 3/4"
dated 1916
Stecher Lith. Co. of Rochester, NY
by Margaret Evans Price

features a girl in hat and spats with a bell and furry muff

If you Love me It's time you Said so.

5" x 7 5/8"
dated 1916
made in USA
features a girl in a chair with a white cat at her feet

Painter, illustrator, muralist and toy designer Margaret Evans Price (American, 1888-1973) is primarily known for her work as a children's book author and illustrator. She can be difficult to find as a valentine card designer. Her work has a rich, art deco feel and is well worth the hunt.

Ms. Price was the wife of Fisher-Price Toy founder Irving Price and in 1930 was the company's founding art director. The first line produced by Fisher-Price was a series of push-pull toys based on illustrations from her books. From those books, her drawings of fairy tale characters like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood are especially gorgeous with wonderful use of color and line.

Soap Box Derby Cars - A Rare Valentine Theme

I don't want to PUSH things ~ But will you be My Valentine.

4 3/4" x 4 1/4"
circa 1930s, 1940s
by Carrington
'A' in tree logo

Here's another fun but rare theme for valentines - soap box derby cars.   Kids racing vehicles has been around for a long time.  It was featured in a Charlie Chaplin movie as early as 1914.  Official All-American racing began in 1934 in Dayton, Ohio.  The next year the event was moved to Akron, Ohio (aka Rubber City) and is still held there currently at a track called Derby Downs.

The 1970s were a noteable time for soap box derby - with the first girl winner and a scandal involving electromagnets and chemicals on the tires both happening during that decade.

Love at the Track - Horse Racing Themed Valentine Cards

Hope I'm first under the wire to be your Valentine.

5" x 5 1/2"
1930s
Flat

To My Sweetheart

3 5/8" x 4 1/8"
German Made
circa 1920s, 1930s
also features a cute bulldog running alongside

 You picked a WINNER when you got me.

5 3/4" x 5 1/4"
circa 1920s

 My Valentine I may not win this RACE but I still am bent on winning you!

3 1/2" x 5 1/2"
circa 1940s-1950s

Sports: Valentine - You're a HIT with me! Baseball Themed Cards

To My Valentine

5 1/2" x 3"
circa 1920s, 1930s 
Mechanical Flat
 marked: printed in Germany

You're the best CATCH I ever made my Valentine.

2 1/2" x 3 3/4"
circa 1920s
  Flat
 made in USA

 I sure would make a wonderful CATCH so why not be my Valentine.

4" x 6"
circa 1930s, 1940s
Mechanical Flat
made in USA

Please don't leave me on the BENCH 'cause you've made a HIT with me my valentine.

4 1/2" x 8 5/8" flat
circa 1930s, 1940s
Standing Fold Out

Valentine You've made a Big HIT Will I make a Good CATCH?

4 3/4" x 4 5/8"
Made in USA
circa 1940s, 1950s

I can't get along MIT out you.  I'd make a GOOD CATCH!  My Valentine!

circa 1930s, 1940s
Glove is done in relief (raised)

It STRIKES me funny how I always fall for you.  It's cause you've PLENTY ON THE BALL Valentine.

circa 1940s
Flat

I'm no MICKEY MANTLE ~ But I'd like to score a hit with You!

circa 1950s, 1960s
Folded

Darling Valentine Batter Up! and if I must Baby, I'll admit Everywhere you'll ever be you're sure to make a HIT!

3 7/8" x 5 1/8"
circa 1930s, 1940s
  Lollipop Card
 no publisher's marks

Hearts Ablaze - It's Red Hot Love! Firemen

You're the CHIEF thing in my Life.

2 1/4" x 3 3/4"
circa 1930s, 1940s
  Flat
 made in Germany

My Heart's All Ablaze for You, Dear Valentine

4 7/8" x 3 5/8"
circa 1930s
Mechanical Flat
marked: Made in Germany

Here's the Ladder to my Heart. This is no FALSE ALARM my Valentine.

5 1/8" x 5 3/4"
dated Feb 14th 1938
Standing Fold-Out
made in USA

A Burning Question will you be my Valentine?

4" x 5 1/2"
circa 1930s
Mechanical Flat

My heart is BURNING for you, My Valentine.

3" x 6 3/4" flat
circa 1930s
Standing Fold-Out
made in USA

A RED-HOT Valentine! Fires I got plenty of - How about a little hug?

6" x 7 3/4"
circa 1940s, 1950s
Standing Fold-Out
Made in USA 

Love bugs, Insects and Creepy Crawlers

I'd like to WORM my way into your heart, dear Valentine!

2 1/4" x 4 1/2"
circa 1950s
made in USA
Flat

Can't cha see I'm BUGS about-cha Valentine!

7 1/4" x 4 1/2" (flat)
Made in USA
circa 1930s, 1940s

STICK around Valentine
Catch On.

3 1/4" x 4 1/4"
circa 1930s
made in USA

How'd you like to be my HONEY?  Please BEE mine.

circa 1940s, 1950s
Flat

C'mon, Honey -- BEE My Valentine.

3" x 3 1/2"
circa 1950s
Flat
by Hallmark

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See Also: 

Butterflies

School Themes and Teacher Cards

My Valentine 'Twould take volumes and volumes and volumes combined, To express the sweet thoughts that I've got in my mind.

3 1/2" x 5"
circa 1930s 
Flat
 marked: made in USA 

It Adds Up to be My Valentine

2 7/8" x 4"
circa 1930s 
Flat
 marked: made in USA

To My Valentine Learning things is lots of fun I've learned that you're the only one.

3 1/8" x 5 1/8"
circa 1940s, 1950s
  Flat
 made in USA

Chalk me up for your Valentine It's just as plain as ABC That you're the Valentine for me!

8" x 3 3/8"
circa 1940s
Standing Fold-Out
by Golden Bell
made in USA
marked: P 7127-D
with a '5' in a circle above the GB Bell logo

Hi There! Hep Chick! Well wet my feet and call me DUCKY! If You're my Valentine I'm LUCKY!

4 1/8" x 6 1/8"
Made in USA
by A-Meri-Card
marked P-113
circa 1940s, 1950s

Feb. 14th Valentine's Day For Teacher ~ I think you're Grand.

2 1/2" x 5 1/8"
circa 1950s

Call on me to be your Valentine Teacher.

2 5/8" x 5"
circa 1950s/1960s
made in USA

Can't we GRADually get Acquainted - Valentine?

2 3/4" x 3 1/4"
circa 1940s/1950s
made in USA

Show signs of life and be My Valentine.

2 5/8 x 5"
dated 1927
Flat 

I'm going to choose the best little valentine in the world - you.

4" x 5 3/8"
dated 1943
Mechanical Flat
made in USA

I''ve set my cap for you Valentine.

Girl at Chalk Board
circa 1930s, 1940s
Pop-Out, Pull-Down

I'm willing to learn to be Your Valentine.

5 3/4" x 5 1/4"
circa 1930s
  Flat
 made in USA

Love Enforcement - Valentine Cops

Po-Lease Love Me Show a Little Speed - Be My Valentine!

3" x 5 1/2"
circa 1940s, 1950s 
Motorcycle Cop
Mechanical Flat
 no publisher's marks 

Stop you've got to be My Valentine.

3 3/8" x 5 7/8"
circa 1930s
  Traffic Cop
Flat
marked: Fairfield Line
with five dot logo

I sentence you for Life - to be my VALENTINE

3 1/2" x 4 5/8"
circa 1930s
Dog with Sergeant's Three Stripes
Flat
made in USA

I've got to HAND IT to you Valentine ~ You've COPPED my Heart! Be mine!

4 1/2" x 5 1/8"
Made in USA
Policeman
circa 1940s

 Stop Look and Listen
Go ahead and be my Valentine.

3 7/8" x 4 3/8"
dated 1935
made in USA
by Carrington
Police Officer

 I won't ARREST until you're my Valentine

3 3/4" x 4 1/4"
dated 1938
made in USA

 Keep Off unless you'll be My Valentine. 

5 1/2" x 5 1/8" (unfolded)
circa 1920s/1930s

 Valentine Greetings
You see I'm out to COP you for my Valentine so PO-LICE say You'll be it!

2 3/4" x 4"
circa 1930s/1940s
made in USA

Hello Sugar - you're wanted for HOARDING your Love - Won't you share it with me my Valentine?

WWII Food Rations Being Enforced
circa 1940s

Stop! Look! Listen!

3 3/8" x 3"
dated 1935

Flat

STOP - I'm stopping everything to say please be my valentine today!

4" x 4 1/2"
dated 1942
Mechanical
made in USA