My Passion Never Can Be Told, Gentleman with Bird and Letter, C. 1840 Hand-colored Block Print Valentine

A hand-colored printed valentine, c. 1840. I rarely come across an example like this, and just thought it was lovely. And of course I believe it is always time for a valentine. "I feel more than the pen can write / For, true as the refiner's gold / My passion can never be told." With letter in hand, which this golden bird looks poised to take in its beak and fly off to deliver.

 5 3/8" x 4 1/8". Uneven long edges as evident with a few clean tears coming in from the edges and a bit of loss along old fold line as documented. Hand-colored.