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Esther Howland is credited with sparking the spread of the ornate cards that became a staple of Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Esther Howland isn’t a household name for most Americans. But those familiar with her intricate, hand-crafted cards argue that she should be.

The cliche ideas of Valentine’s Day—the roses, chocolates, and construction paper cards—are not what this collection is about. The history of Valentine's cards is rich: they are the love letters of culture’s past.

Jolene Sliwka, of Burlington, was searching through a thrift store for vintage t-shirts and used records 35 years ago when she picked up a “scratch-off-and-sniff” Valentine’s Day card. That card set off a scavenger hunt that has now become a collection of several thousand vintage valentines.