'vinegar Valentines' from the 1900s

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

A day for sharing sentiments with a loved one is challenged by old Valentine's Day cards that showed feelings of a less positive nature.  Known as 'Vinegar Valentines' these mocking cards were used to tell someone how much you did not love them.
The cards are from the 1840s to the 1940s and were compiled by collectorsweekly.com.

Edwardian rejection: This card is not only to tell a lover it is over but reveals that the woman has had an affair

Offensive: this Valentine's card let's your true feelings be known

Prove your love? Perhaps an alternative to the saying 'take a hop, skip, and jump off a pier'

This card is a novel way of turning down someone's affections

In one dated around 1910 a man is mocked for being controlled by his wife titled 'Held in Bondage'.

An American card called 'Showoff' from the 1940s suggests that the recipient harm themselves. The text: 'You claim you're good at anything! So, come on, show some proof. And let me see how good you are, at jumping off the roof!!'

The cards are sometimes cruel, the one above appeared to be from a mistress to her lover

A put down for the person selling the Valentine's gift that year

While today's cards can be offensive, the acerbic wit of 100 years ago was more subtle