Cupids, hearts, laces, and love are but a few words that describe the Richard August Neubert antique valentine collection. Neubert, a specialist in graphic arts, packaging design, and corporate and industrial design, was an avid collector of paper ephemera. His interest in decorative arts led him to collect antique valentines, a passion that he pursued for more than forty years. During that time, he assembled a fascinating collection of rare and beautiful valentines, primarily from the Victorian period. Mr. Neubert's impressive collection contains more than 650 valentines, dating from 1838 to the 1980s, many accompanied by original envelopes.

Included in the de Grummond holdings are numerous pristine examples of embossed lace paper valentines manufactured from papers created by Joseph Addenbrooke, Thomas De La Rue, Dobbs, Kidd & Co., Joseph Mansell, J.T. Wood, George Meek, and Mullord Bros.

Also included are many cards created by two famous American companies, Esther Howland and George C. Whitney, who produced valentines using imported embossed and perforated blank papers from the aforementioned British firms. Other famous valentine makers whose work is featured include the New England Valentine Company, Jonathan King, George Kershaw & Son, Turner and Fisher, and David Mossman. Also held are valentines created by publishers well known for their early children's book production, including Dean & Son, Louis Prang, Ernest Nister, McLoughlin Bros., and Raphael Tuck & Sons.

An article in the Spring 1996 issue of Juvenile Miscellany gives more information on Mr. Neubert and the development of his collection.