Politicians Have Hearts Too

As we celebrate one of the most cherished (and sometimes dreaded) holidays of the year, I thought some vintage valentines from our collections might set the mood for February 14, 2011. Here's some good lovin' from the Russell Library to you!

Left & Below: Shake Your Tail Feather, courtesy of the Ina Dillard Russell Collection.

Mrs. Russell (wife of Judge Richard B. Russell, Sr. and mother of Senator Richard B. Russell, Jr.) got all sorts of love on Valentine's Day -- she was the mother of fourteen children!











Lamartine Hardman was a man of many talents -- farmer, entrepreneur, physician, and politician! We found these gems in several scrapbooks kept by Mrs. Hardman.

Left: "Heart Hunting: I've Room Enough for Two" courtesy of the Lamartine G. Hardman Papers

Below: "The World will be ours if you'll agree..."
courtesy of the Lamartine G. Hardman Papers


Last but not least comes a valentine from the Stovall, McKay, and Mathis Family. While this collection is not yet fully processed and open for research, members of our staff found this card while scanning a series of letters written between family members during World War II.

Below: "A Valentine for Pop" courtesy of the Stovall, McKay, and Mathis Family Papers