What is now a multi billion dollar industry centered around giving loved ones cards, sweets and other gifts, Valentine’s Day has simple beginnings dating back to early centuries.

So while you’re out picking up that box of chocolates and bouquet of roses, think about the centuries of traditions that while have changed over time, all go back to the same human element — love.

While there were several Christian matyrs named Valentine, the day most likely took its name from a priest who was martyred about AD 270, according to Encyclopaedia Brittannica. “According to legend, the priest signed a letter to his jailer’s daughter, whom he had befriended and with whom he had fallen in love, ‘from your Valentine.’ ”

The holiday also has origins in a Roman festival, which celebrated the coming of spring, and included fertility rites and pairing off of men and women.

It wasn’t until the 14th century the day was celebrated as a day of romance.

In the 1550s is when formal messages, or valentines, appeared and by the 1700s commercially printed cards were being used.

The first commercial cards printed in the United States were printed in the mid-1800s.

You can see cards from the 1880s on display at the Coupeville Library through the end of the month.

Collector Billie Barb is sharing her 40 years of collecting with the public.

She has beautiful valentines from Germany and the US dating back to 1880.

While styles and customs have changed over the years, it seems the general concept of showing your love and affection has not.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out these intricate pieces of art, stop by the library and take a look.

Many of the pieces were hand-made.  They feature the traditional symbols of the holiday including flowers, birds and hearts.

They’re a far cry from the mass-produced cartoon cards students will hand out to classmates this week.

As Barb said this week, you just can’t find cards like this today.