Valentines was once Scotland’s most successful commercial photographers. Best known for popularising the picture postcard, in the early 20th century Valentines capitalised on developments in photography, printing and tourism to create a vibrant industry in Dundee, quickly becoming one of the city’s largest employers. Later, the company's production diversified into greetings cards and was sold to Hallmark Cards in 1980, with the Dundee factory closing its doors in 1994.

The Valentine Collection, which includes over 180,000 images, is now held at the University of St Andrews. In partnership with the University of St Andrews, V&A Dundee is currently exploring Valentine's design heritage and significance with curatorial duo Panel (who are Lucy McEachan and Catriona Duffy), graphic designer Maeve Redmond and filmmaker Rob Kennedy, as part of their research towards an exhibition taking place at the museum this summer.

The exhibition will feature original objects including postcards, photographs, magazines, sales ledgers and more.

If you have any stories to share, then please get in touch and email us at valentines@vandadundee.org

You can also write to us at: Valentines Memories, V&A Dundee, Riverside Esplanade, Dundee, DD1 4EZ.

Image credit: Used by kind permission of DC Thomson & Co Ltd.