The Unrequited Love" or "The Despondent Lover" Valentine Series -- "What can I say or send to prove

England, 1830. Very good. Light toning, a couple nicks, one short open tear to lower left-hand corner of first leaf.. A rare example of one of the valentines produced for the so-called "Unrequited Love" or "Despondent Lover" valentine set, a highly sentimental series first produced in the 1830s. Most featured despondent lovers, but some featured happy or joyful scenes of love. This example does not feature the Addenbrooke name or 1828 watermark known in other examples, but appears contemporary. This example depicts a woman in a yellow gown at a writing desk, with a poem underneath that reads: "What can I say or send to prove, To thee my constancy and love: Yet this may give some pledge to thee, And speak in silent truth for me." Wove paper bifolium with embossed decorative border (10.25" by 8"), with hand colored aquatint in center. Blind stamp of previous owner on second leaf. "On quarto size paper, each valentine of this series is adorned with a lightly embossed decorative border. The central picture of each shows a delightful aquatint, beautifully colored and finished by hand ... The set numbers fourteen in all, which was recognized as a regular 'valentine dozen'. The original publisher of this interesting series, which came out in the 1830s, is believed to be Addenbrooke" (Staff, "The Valentine and its Origins", p. 62).