by April Helms

Special Products Editor

Bouquets of flowers are a popular gift for Valentine's Day, and many enjoy the sweet smell of freshly cut blooms.

But during the Victorian era, that bouquet might have also carried a message, depending on what types of flora made up the arrangement. Unspoken messages also could be conveyed through the way a fan was held, a handkerchief was folded or a calling card was presented.

"[People in the Victorian era] were masters at the hidden language and unspoken signals," said Linda Bussey, assistant director at Hower House.

That hidden language is the theme of the latest display at Hower House in Akron, "Victorian Romance: An Unspoken Language." This exhibit will be up through Feb. 27.

Guests who come on Saturdays during that time will be served gingerbread with lemon sauce at the conclusion of the tour.

Throughout the Victorian-era mansion are antique Valentines -- both from the Hower House collection and private collections -- calling cards and flowers, Bussey said.

Calling cards were used starting in the 1830s and remained popular until around 1930, Bussey said. These cards, about the size of modern-day business cards, "were used by all classes, which is interesting," she said.

Some cards were plain, while others were highly decorative. There even were cards appropriate for use for those in mourning: They either were white with a black border or were black with white lettering. These cards were placed in special dishes created just for them, and were left to let the residents of a house know they had stopped by.

The card itself may also have had an additional message, depending on whether a corner was folded, and which corner. For example, if the lower left corner of the card was folded, it meant the owner of the card was going on a long journey, according to information provided by Hower House.

Sending small bouquets of flowers, called "Tussie Mussies," was also a way Victorians used to convey a thought or feeling.

"When you gave flowers, the flowers sent a distinct message," Bussey said. "The Victorians were big on visual cues. Forget-me-nots were the most popular, as were roses."

For those who cast a disparaging look at Valentine's Day, the Victorians had "Vinegar Valentines," Bussey said. There are no samples on display at the mansion, but Bussey said they found information on these cynical cards while researching.

"They were hideously drawn. The faces were not very flattering. Some of them were very insulting," Bussey said.

Hower House is at 60 Fir Hill, on The University of Akron campus. For details, call 330-972-6909, or visit www.uakron.edu/howerhse.>

E-mail: ahelms@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3153