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Birthday Card

1958 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Satchwell Smiths (printed)
Place of origin
London (printed)

Jennifer Leaver has kept every single birthday card she ever received and she has given the Museum the first eighteen years worth. Jennifer was born in the mid 1950s and the collection provides a snapshot of the changing designs of cards during this period of change and development in the history of childhood. It is fascinating to observe different trends dependent on the age Jennifer was in each particular year. The cards demonstrate the interests of a girl growing up at this time, from cute and cuddly animals to parties and music.


Object details

Categories
Children & Childhood
Greeting Cards
Object type
Birthday card
Materials and techniques
printed card
Brief description
Colour printed birthday card for a 2 year old, with an illustration of a cartoon cat driving a train filled with presents. Printed / published by Satchwell Smiths, London, England, given to Jennifer Leaver (née Davies), 1958.
Physical description
The card is folded in to four sections with a vertical spine and portrait opening. On the front is an illustration of a cartoon kitten driving a steam train. The train carries a selection of gifts. Inside the card, the train's carriages are shown filled with many more gifts with two more catoon kittens. There are printed and hand written messages in the card.
Dimensions
  • Width: 11.2cm
  • Height: 13.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Happy Birthday / today's / your day - / and i'm rushing to you - (printed on the front of the card)
  • Loads and loads of happiness... / to last you the whole year through! (printed inside the card)
  • with love from / Uncle, auntie, Clive & Gillian / xxxx (hand written in blue ink on the back of the card.)
  • Satchwell Smiths / London SE25 / g 6/9 (printed on the back of the card)
Credit line
Given by Jennifer Leaver
Object history
One of 269 cards donated by Jennifer Leaver (née Davies) that have been given to her on her birthdays from 1-18 from family and friends.
Summary
Jennifer Leaver has kept every single birthday card she ever received and she has given the Museum the first eighteen years worth. Jennifer was born in the mid 1950s and the collection provides a snapshot of the changing designs of cards during this period of change and development in the history of childhood. It is fascinating to observe different trends dependent on the age Jennifer was in each particular year. The cards demonstrate the interests of a girl growing up at this time, from cute and cuddly animals to parties and music.
Collection
Young V&A Collection
Accession number
B.362-2010

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Record createdFebruary 1, 2011
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1191248/birthday-card-satchwell-smiths/
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