But it is the old, used Valentine post cards that catch my attention. These are both affordable and decorative and they all tell a story. A visit to a few antique booths in the area had me spending a few hours perusing their cards. You can find Valentine greetings that are old beautiful elaborate cards or you can opt for simple post cards from the turn of the century (the last century!). The unused cards in excellent condition command higher prices in my area, but the worn ones with folded edges and a bit of correspondence on them tugged at my heart.

One of the favorite cards has very little written on it -- dated in 1912, it says:

Was he a would-be suitor? Did he even know her or was this way of introducing himself? Many cards had similar puzzles that intrigued me.

Browse through the old postcards next time you are in a flea market. You will find a real piece of history with a personal touch.