This Valentine's Day card was found in a small collection of Mr Percival Hoare's papers and photographs held at the State Library of South Australia.

Percival Edward Hoare was born at Faversham, England in 1842. He emigrated to South Australia aboard the 'Irene' in 1862. He married Susette Gameau (1848 - 1934) in 1867 and they had ten children. Percival was employed as an accountant by Harrold Brothers wholesale ironmongers in Hindley Street, Adelaide for 32 years, and was also widely known as a collector of antiquities such as coins and Aboriginal weapons.

The card is an original handmade moveable piece. When a tab inside the card is pulled, Percival, who we can identify from his portrait, moves the baby up and down on his arm. A pencilled note inside the card reads, 'Received from old Willy, 15th Feb 1872'. Our research suggests that 'old Willy' was Percival's father, Mr William Parker Hoare, FRCS, of Northamptonshire, England.

The front of the card reads:

Work in the city all day
At eve home to rest and pleasure
And this is the way that they
Fill up at home their leisure

And inside...

Papa wise and mighty, just home from his work
Takes hold of the Baby and gives it a jerk
And sings little love songs that she loves best
To his dear little Baby as he rocks her to rest
See how the Missus would repine
If you had not been her VALENTINE

The baby to which he refers is probably Helen Alice Susette born 27th September 1870, following the death of their first child William Percival Gameau aged 4 months on 30th May 1869. William was almost certainly named for Percival's father William. So perhaps this is a greeting card to bereaved parents from a Grandfather who has also grieved the loss of the first-born child and is cheered by this new little girl. Their fifth child, a son was born on 17th June 1880. In a sad repeat of history, Percival Edward, named after his father, died on 24th November 1880. He was five months old.

Percival Hoare died at his residence 'Faversham' in Kent Town in 1904, following a stroke in 1902 and surgery weeks before his death. He was buried at the North Road Cemetery and was fondly remembered in his obituary, which appeared in the Adelaide Observer, 1st October 1904, p 34.

Their other children were:

• Edwin Percival Gameau (1873 - 1898), a promising public servant at the time of his death from Bright's (kidney) disease at age 25.
• Herbert Gameau (1875 - 1933) worked for the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company. He married Ethel Clara Winton 16th April 1904. There were no known children. Ethel died in 1952.
• Edith Rachel (1877 - 1957) married Albert Oswald Pike in 1904.
• Constance Mary (1882 - ?) married William Ternent Cook in 1907.
• Emily Marie (1884 - 1927) and became engaged to Mr D J Morris of Melbourne University in April 1910. She died in Crafers under her maiden name aged 42.
• Twins Clara Irene and Hilda Hetty were born 1887. Clara married James Howard Phillips in 1908 and Hilda married Sydney Maurice King in 1932. Clara died in 1934.

Whilst none of the Hoare sons had children four of the six girls married however it was not possible to trace descendants due to name changes and confidentiality of records. We would be pleased to hear from any descendants of this family group so we can add information to the record.

Permission to use this item for any purpose, including publishing, is not required from the State Library under these conditions of use.

Buy a high resolution copy.