 | In Australia during the gold rush, miners who were flushed with new found wealth from the Ballarat mines were willing to pay a pricely sum for elaborate valentines. Merchants in Australia would send orders of a thousand pounds at a time.The most extravagant of valentines were made of a satin cushion, perfumed, ornately designed with flowers, coloured shells, and would also have a taxidermied humming bird or bird of paradise adorning it. This was all contained in a neatly decorated box which were considered of high standing, fashionable and most expensive. |  |