Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 28, 2025 ~ The Old Sachem ~ From Worcester with love – Valentine cards in the 1800s By Bill Stewart H andmade valentines were popular in England during the 15th Century. Through the years printed valentines were produced in England for the people to send to their sweethearts. Esther Howland was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1828 in a respected and wellto-do family. Her father was Southworth Howland, who owned a very successful sta8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Tues. - Sat. at 4:00 PM Closed Sun. & Mon. Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Tuesdays & Wednesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s Scan & Follow Us on Facebook! tionery business in Worcester. The company produced, among other products, textbooks and engraved cards. The family could afford to send Esther to college, so she enrolled in Mount Holyoke College, which was then known as Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. After graduation she saw cards from England that were expensive, and Esther thought she could make cards economically. She found a few cards that inspired her to begin making her own versions. To create her early cards, she imported fine lace, specialty paper, and decorations from England. Esther had a visionary idea to craft each ornate card in an assembly line, which would accommodate a large interest in her products. She built an assembly line of all women in her company, New England Valentine Company, at a time when fewer than 15% of women worked outREFORMS | FROM PAGE 2 www.810bargrille.com forms, including many provisions the House Republican Caucus has long been advocating for, such as a requirement that individual legislators’ committee votes be postside of their home. She developed design elements, such as enclosed messages within the cards, the use of painted silk and elaborate folding of her cards. Her business became an immediate commercial success, using the beauty of her designs and her desire to meet the demands of her customers. Howland’s business was very successful during her 30-year career. By 1880 her company was earning over $100,000 in yearly profi ts, which would be about $2.5 million today. The founder of Mount Holyoke College, Mary Lyon, which I introduced in a January column, urged students to “Go where no one else will go. Do what no one else will do.” This resonated to Howland to achieve her goals of one-upmanship in business. Many of her cards are displayed at Mount Holyoke College around Valentine’s Day. Many current students of Mount Holyoke now experiment with laser-cutting, 3D printing and innovative designs at the Fimbel Maker & Innovation Lab. They can launch their designs through a $3,000 internship funding program through the system named ed online for easy public access. However, he said the reforms do not go far enough, after the House rejected nearly all the caucus’ amendments, with the exception of a proposal to require the House journal to specify if a mem“The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) the Lynk. Many students declare a minor in Internship, Organizations and Society. Next time you get and send a valentine, you can thank Esther Howland of Worcester and Mount Holyoke College for developing the cards that are relished each year. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column – sometimes about sports. He also opines on current or historical events or famous people.) ber participated in a vote remotely. The House and joint rules proposals were ultimately both approved on votes of 128-23, with Representative Wong opposed. REFORMS | SEE PAGE 10 — Vinyl Siding — Carpentry Work — Decks — Roofing — Free Estimates — Replacement Windows — Fully Licensed — Fully Insured
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