Mann S. Valentine

[tmh10]

I know the folks that have been on here a while are familiar with our old freind Manny, but we have a lot of new folks that have not had the pleasure. I just thought I would revive old Manny and see if any of the new people knew anything we havn't already turned up. I know he still is attrative to the girls, but remember ladies, Manny is no longer with us.

 

[Zuzah]

I'll wager a bet - this was taken in an insane asylum, right? Maximum security, maybe?

 

[James B White]

I'll wager a bet - this was taken in an insane asylum, right? Maximum security, maybe?

The whole series is pretty entertaining, but I figure they're most likely posed as artist's models for his brother Edward Virginius Valentine who was a sculptor. The mostly naked ones are even funnier. Poor fellow--do your brother a favor and suffer 150 years of ridicule. But still...

Here's Mann S. Valentine in "real life":

Seems like he just had no luck getting people of the future to take him seriously. Though he made his fortune with a protein supplement drink, which ought to be acceptable in the 21st century, he had the misfortune to name it "Valentine's Meat Juice." More on that, and a couple other funny pictures, here: http://www.msdowantiques.com/2012/02/love-potion-its-oldest-profession.html

Still, anyone interested in history does owe the guy a debt. He founded the Valentine Richmond History Center.