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Birthday Card

1958 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Rust Craft (published)
Hallmark Cards UK (printed)
Place of origin
England (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
colour printed card
Brief description
colour printed card with a cartoon illustration of a girl holding a parasol and a basket of flowers printed by Rust Craft, England. Given to Jennifer Leaver (neé Davis) on her second birthday, 1959
Physical description
Colour printed car folded in to two with a vertical spine and a portrait format. The right hand side (facing) of the card has been cut out on both layers of the paper around the shape of the girl pictured on the front. she is holding a basket of flowers and a parasol. there is printed and hand written messages in the card.
Dimensions
  • Width: 9cm
  • Height: 14cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • HAPY BIRTHDAY / To a Sweet Girl! (printed on the front)
  • To a very / sweet girl / Who has a way / of growing sweeter / Every day! (printed inside of card)
  • To Jennifer, / With love from / A. Betty, U.Charlie, Stephen / and Lesley. (hand written in blue ink inside the card.)
  • A Rust Craft Card / copyright / PRINTED IN ENGLAND (printed on the back)
  • IBC20-3 (printed on the back)
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.
Subject depicted
Birthday
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.364-2010

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Record createdFebruary 15, 2011
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1192931/birthday-card-rust-craft/
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