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Birthday Card

1957 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd. (printer and publisher)
Hallmark Cards UK (published)
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 cut out card for a one year old, depicting baby toys and the number one, published by Raphael Tuck and Sons Ltd and Hallmark, England, given to Jennifer Leaver (née Davies), 1957.
Physical description
Colour printed cut out card for a one year old, depicting baby toys and the number one. The card has a central cut out section revealing the number 1 which is loosely slotted in to the back section of the card through another cut out window.
Dimensions
  • Width: 9.8cm
  • When closed and flat height: 12.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • HAPPY BIRTHDAY / 1 / YEAR OLD (printed on the front of the card)
  • A GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISH / FOR A CERTAIN SOMEONE WHO / IS JUST EXACTLY ONE YEAR OLD / AND THAT MWANS IT'S FOR YOU! (printed in middle of the card)
  • To Jennifer Ann, / From Uncle Arthur & Auntie [Nellie ?] (hand written in blue ink in the middle of the card)
  • Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd / fine art publishers by appointment / to the late King George VI / the Late Queen Mary / And to H.M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
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.351-2010

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Record createdFebruary 1, 2011
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1177317/birthday-card-raphael-tuck/
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