model would eventually become standard for the American valentine market. Although Valentine's Day cards had been available in America for more than half a century before Esther started her business, she was the first person to commercialize them in America. In 1850, her first advertisement appeared in the Worcester Spy. Soon enough she found herself in the position of a businesswoman. She began to import materials from Germany. She also came up with the idea of using silk and embossing lithograph ornaments. In order to distinguish her valentines, Howland began stamping the letter "H" on the back of her cards in red ink along with the price and the letters ‘N.E.V.Co.’, which stood for the name of her company New England Valentine Company. Cards that included ribbons, artistic illustrations, hidden doors, gilded lace and interior envelopes that could hold more secret messages, locks of hair or even engagement rings , sold up to one dollar to fifty dollars. Howland also created cards for Christmas, new year, and birthdays, as well as cards, booklets, and May baskets. Howland suffered a knee injury in 1866 that forced her to be in a wheelchair. In 1870, Howland incorporated her business as the New England Valentine Company. She continued to work from her home until 1879 when she moved to a factory. During that same year, Howland published The New England Valentine Co.’s Valentine Verse Book that consisted of 31 pages. The book was intended for customers who found a beautiful card but didn't like the verse that was inside. With the book they could choose from a total of 131 verses all printed in red, green, blue, and gold ink and came in three different sizes. With their chosen verse, customer could then paste it over the original verse in their card. In 1870, Howland merged her business with one of her competitors, Edward Taft. Howland's cards were shipped nation-wide and her business eventually grossed over $100,000 per year. Howland eventually sold the business to a competitor, George Whitney, in 1880 in order to take care of her sick father. In 1904, Howland fractured a femur and was bedridden for eight months. She died in her home at 9 Adams St in Quincy. Howland's valentine cards became renowned throughout the United States and after her death, she was called "The Mother of the American Valentine." She is credited for the introduction of the