Good Luck from Dundee: A History of Valentines
Join Rachel Nordstrom, former Photographic Collections Manager at the University of St Andrews, to dive into the Valentine’s Photographic and Postcard Collection.
Our latest exhibition Sincerely, Valentines – From Postcards to Greetings Cards draws on the Valentines collection held at the University of St Andrews to tell the story of Scotland’s most pioneering and successful commercial photographers, best known for popularising the holiday postcard on a global scale. It explores their work as portrait and journalistic photographers, to greetings cards manufacturers working with artists documenting landscapes and important historical events in the UK and across the world.
Founded in 1825 in Dundee, Valentines capitalised on rapid developments in photography, printing and tourism in the early 20th century to create a fascinating body of work and a vibrant industry, quickly becoming one of Dundee’s largest employers.
Come along to learn more about the history of this fascinating and varied collection, how it came to St Andrews and the stories still held within the archive. This internationally significant collection is open for anyone to explore online and in person, by appointment via speccoll@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Rachel Nordstrom is the former Photographic Collections Manager at the University of St Andrews Library and Museums. Rachel worked with the photographic archive, which includes over 150,000 J. Valentine & Sons images and albums, for over nine years while promoting the collection's use and access through teaching and research.
This talk will have a special introduction by Andrew Valentine.
Book online, in the museum or call 01382 411 611.
This event will be BSL interpreted by Julie Wilson and Linda Duncan.
Sincerely, Valentines – From Postcards to Greetings Cards is on now until Sunday, 8 January 2023, and free to visit. Did you or your family work at Valentines? We are gathering memories about life at the factory, and its significance to Dundee. We would love to hear from you! Contact us at valentines@vandadundee.org