We tend to think of the Victorians as reserved types – but a set of Valentine’s Day cards selling at Hansons this week shows a different side to our top-hatted ancestors.

The 20 cards will sell as a single lot in a February 10 sale.

People have been sending Valentine's cards since the 1500s 

So if Valentine’s Day is usually accompanied by the creeping, cold realisation that you’ve forgotten to pick up flowers on the way home, here’s your reminder.  

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said: “I couldn’t resist entering these cards into Hansons’ first London auction, giving people the chance to buy a genuine Victorian Valentine card in time for the most romantic day of the year. Surely, there can be nothing more romantic than that?

“I found them in a shoebox during a trip to Cambridgeshire and it was love at first sight. The sweet floral decorations, gentle colours and equally gentle wording talking of ‘hope’, are a delight.

“Today, some Valentine’s cards appear very brash in comparison and often lack the delicacy of sentiment and meaning demonstrated to us by the Victorians.

“Sending a message of love to someone who may not know your feelings is a delicate matter and the simple charms of these Victorian cards remind us how it should be done, tastefully and elegantly.”

One asks, simperingly, "Could I be untrue to you? Ne’re while life remaineth."

All of the cards date to between 1880 and 1890.

The lot is valued at £50-100 ($69-139).

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about unique collectible auctions.