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Article created by: Mindaugas Balčiauskas

Today, people look for love on dating apps. In 2023, at least 30% of adults in America said they've used dating apps at least once. But back in the day, you'd have to take out a personal ad in the local paper if you wanted to find love or reach out to a missed connection.

Also called lonely hearts ads, these short messages would often be quirky, romantic, and witty. But they could also be direct, morally questionable, and contain a whiff of casual sexism. Thanks to the Instagram page Long Lost Personals, today we get to see what folks from the '50s might've put in their Tinder bios if they had a chance.

So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down and maybe you'll get some inspiration for your next conversation starter from these vintage Don Juans and Femme Fatales!

More info: Instagram

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Vintage looking for love ad describing an inattentive plump female, compulsive reader, and good cook seeking connection.

1983. At least she got around to placing this ad.

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    #2

    Vintage newspaper ad for looking for love featuring an ex-nun seeking romance and companionship.

    1967. For your Sunday morning This is the closest I could find to the Sister Act soundtrack version. Now I feel like watching Sister Act.

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    #3

    Vintage looking for love ad mentioning love for dog and Mozart, seeking slim, dark-haired, scholarly men for happiness.

    Late 1980s-ish. A couple more personals from the bedsheets! I found an awesome set of vintage bedsheets with personal ads from New York magazine printed on them. Unfortunately they are twin size, so I can’t sleep in them unless I get a twin bed.

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    #4

    Tattooed and pierced vampire ad seeking love, featuring unusual Gothic interests in hilarious looking for love ads.

    1995. Detroit vampires always trying to glamour you with their long letters.

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    #5

    A vintage "looking for love" ad where a shy 31-year-old virgin seeks correspondence to overcome shyness.

    1981. Time to face your fears.

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    #6

    Hilarious looking for love ad describing a witty, articulate woman seeking an emotionally mature male for friendship and trust.

    1984. I am not a dream boy.

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    #7

    Hilarious looking for love ad with a note about meeting in a men's washroom and returning a pink pig doll.

    2004. Fun to throw a missed connection into the mix every now and then.

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    #8

    Looking for love ad from a gay male US citizen seeking a woman to marry his German friend.

    1984. From Bay Windows, New England’s largest gay and lesbian newspaper.

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    #9

    Vintage looking for love ad seeking hypnotizing dominant woman knowledgeable in hypnosis and confident women are superior.

    1974. You’re getting sleepy. Very sleepy.

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    #10

    Hilarious looking for love ad from Lisa in a wheelchair, sharing a quirky message and phone number in a newspaper clipping.

    1972. Beep beep. This is what the horn plays.

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    #11

    Vintage looking for love ad with a playful message encouraging spontaneity and connection through a phone call.

    1966. I knew there was an answer. RIP Brian, one of the great American composers.

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    #12

    Handwritten vintage looking for love ad by a very lonely girl with dark brown hair and hazel eyes seeking a nice fellow.

    1968. For those who are lonely.

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    #13

    Hilarious looking for love ad with a humorous birthday message from Dracula about biting a neck 22 times.

    1972. Time to go see Nosferatu.

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    #14

    Looking for love ad with a poetic message mentioning music, art, skateboarding, and seeking a sympathetic soul.

    1995. Crawl out of that dumpster and find a pen.

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    #15

    Vintage personal ad from a deaf man seeking fun and travel companions in hilarious looking for love ads collection.

    1972. Free ASL lessons.

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    #16

    Hilarious looking for love ad seeking ride to Golden State with dog, featuring humorous and quirky personal details.

    1972. Taking a brief intermission from the personals section to feature some other types of entertaining classifieds. I very badly want to meet the person responding to the description “reliable, sensible freak person.”

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    #17

    Single man seeking responsible partner interested in activism, exposing corruption, and moral values in Oregon justice system.

    1977. Do you ever feel like you’re being watched?

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    #18

    Vintage looking for love ad seeking a good girl interested in motorcycle travel to Mexico with contact number included.

    1968. How are you getting to Mexico? Bike with Craig, aeroplane, or via Las Vegas by car with Al?

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    #19

    Hilarious looking for love ad from an IG page, featuring a quirky personal ad about fruits, vegetables, and knishes.

    1967. I think this one actually might be CIA code. Published in a New York City counterculture weekly.

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    #20

    Hilarious looking for love ad with bold text saying it’s a jungle out there and a hot lioness on the prowl phone number included.

    1996. Welp guess I’m gonna get mauled.

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    #21

    Looking for love ad from a 24-year-old female seeking a literate, clever, mystical SWM with a dark medieval vibe.

    1995. I will forever more think of “shadowy white female” whenever I see SWF.

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    #22

    Vintage looking for love ad featuring a widow seeking men interested in conversation, dancing, philosophy, and unconventional hobbies.

    1971. Spell time.

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    #23

    A vintage "looking for love" ad searching for a tall intellectual with a deep voice in a world without men.

    1944. Susie wants love during wartime

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    #24

    Hilarious looking for love ad with dark humor referencing Jack The Tripper and unusual requests in a vintage style text.

    1995. I was curious if the corkscrew line was a reference to something so I Googled it. All I found is a multitude of news stories about people being stabbed by corkscrews.

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    #25

    Vintage looking for love ad with a lonely wombat seeking an unhinged lady to clear caged mind, humorous dating message.

    1975. The less hinged the better.

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    #26

    Hilarious looking for love ad with fiery and playful text comparing attractiveness to spicy food and gasoline.

    1997. Trent Reznor lookalikes and chicken grease abound in these late 90s Seattle missed connections.

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    #27

    Vintage looking for love ad asking adventurous women who like humor and dinner in Canada to date, with a phone number listed.

    1998. A little selection from the Girls Seeking Girls section of the Seattle Stranger.

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    #28

    Vintage looking for love ad from Amelia Earhart Lives, sharing hilarious and creative personal ads from an IG page collection.

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    #29

    Black and white photo of a woman with a vintage dating ad from hilarious looking for love ads collection.

    1967. Need help ordering husband around.

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    #30

    Black and white photo of a young woman in a vintage looking for love ad sharing her interests in nature and sailing.

    1991. Who needs to live near a body of water?

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    #31

    Hilarious looking for love ad from NYC woman in her 30s seeking opposite male 35-45, non-smoker in a personal ad.

    1984. File under: highly relatable.


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