{"id":89509,"date":"2023-02-14T12:22:31","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T17:22:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=89509"},"modified":"2023-02-14T12:23:20","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T17:23:20","slug":"for-valentines-day-sweetheart-conversations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/for-valentines-day-sweetheart-conversations.html","title":{"rendered":"For Valentine\u2019s Day: Sweetheart Conversations"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega writes about a Valentine\u2019s Day tradition: candy hearts. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s little doubt that Valentine\u2019s Day is associated with candy. For some, the day means a heart-shaped box filled with chocolates, but for others there are traditional candies that are eagerly anticipated. One of those candies is the heart-shaped Sweethearts candy (also known as conversation hearts). These hard, chalky, pastel-colored candies packaged in individual serving boxes (complete with a place to write the gift giver and recipient\u2019s names) have a 19th<\/sup> century history.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:<\/a>
Photo: box of candy hearts for Valentine\u2019s Day. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The candies we know as Sweethearts have their origins in \u201cconversation candies\u201d developed by Daniel Chase in 1866. Daniel\u2019s brother Oliver had invented a candy-cutting machine and then Daniel invented the process for printing letters on candies. (1) These original candies, in various shapes, were shared at special events including weddings and birthday parties. (2)<\/p>\n

In 1928 a newspaper article reported that the old-fashioned tradition of sharing conversation candies was coming back into style.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Chicago Daily News (Chicago, Illinois), 13 February 1928, page 14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This article reported:<\/p>\n

The interesting old custom of exchanging \u201cconversation candies,\u201d familiar to every one born in the last century, is coming back into favor. These heart-shaped white candies, printed with affectionate sentiments in pink, are said to have been made first in Boston, back in the middle \u201960s [1860s].<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Most of us are familiar with the Necco version of the Sweethearts candies. Necco (New England Confectionary Company), a Massachusetts-based candy company, produced the candies for 150 years until their bankruptcy in 2018. It was the \u201coldest continuously operating multi-line candy company.\u201d Necco. the maker of Sweethearts and the similarly tasting Necco Wafers, turned out two billion of the heart candies a year before they closed for good.<\/p>\n

Not Just Candy<\/strong><\/p>\n

The well-known hearts weren\u2019t just for eating. Over their history, their depiction has been found on everything from coffee mugs to a 2004 U.S. postage stamp that showed two candy hearts with letters that spelled out \u201cI Love You.\u201d The first-day ceremony for the 37-cent stamp was held at the Necco candy headquarters.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Huntsville Times (Huntsville, Alabama), 10 January 2004, page 41<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sweethearts 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Necco was the company most associated with Sweethearts in the iconic box, other companies do produce similar candies, packaged as \u201cmotto hearts,\u201d \u201chearts,\u201d or \u201cconversation candies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas, Nevada), 7 January 1974, page 29<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As times changed, so did the sayings printed on the candy hearts. In 1990 the sayings included \u201cE-Mail Me,\u201d and \u201cPage Me,\u201d as well as the previously retired \u201cOne I Love.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
El Paso Herald-Post (El Paso, Texas), 12 February 1997, page 22<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A 2014 newspaper article announced that the hearts would include \u201cTxt Me\u201d and \u201c=Love\u201d while out-of-date sayings like \u201cFax Me\u201d were retired.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas), 9 February 2014, page 58<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today\u2019s Sweethearts are made by the Spangler Candy company and include sayings like \u201cUR Cute,\u201d \u201cLove Bug,\u201d \u201cXOXO,\u201d \u201cWink Wink,\u201d and \u201cPick Me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Happy Valentine\u2019s Day!<\/strong><\/p>\n

What Valentine\u2019s Day memories do you have? Do any of them involve candy? Share your memories in the comments below.<\/p>\n

Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial<\/a><\/p>\n

Note on the header image:<\/em><\/strong> candy hearts for Valentine\u2019s Day. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.<\/p>\n

_________________<\/p>\n

(1) \u201cOde to Sweethearts Conversation Hearts,\u201d New England Today Living (https:\/\/newengland.com\/today\/living\/new-england-nostalgia\/necco-sweethearts-conversation-hearts\/<\/a>: accessed 9 February 2023).
\n(2) \u201cNecco History,\u201d Archived on the Wayback Machine (https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20060506195745\/http:\/\/www.necco.com\/AboutUs\/History.asp<\/a>: accessed 6 February 2023).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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