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Birthday Card

1957 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

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
Object type
Materials and techniques
colour printed card
Brief description
Colour printed card for a one year old, depicting a cartoon blindfolded mouse, House of Storey, Great Britain, given to Jennifer Leaver (née Davies), 1957.
Physical description
Birthday card folded in to four sections, landscape, with a vertical spine. the front of the card has an cartoon illustration of some mice playing a game with a blindfold in the grass.There is also a birthday message printed at the botton of the card.In the centre of the card there is another image of a mouse holding a letter where a birthday message has been written. There are printed and hand written messages in the middle of the card.
Dimensions
  • Width: 13.5cm
  • When closed and flat height: 18.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Happy Birthday 1 Today (printed on the front of the card)
  • To you, dear little baby, / Just one year old today. / We send our love and wishes true / With kisses bright and gay. / Your baby ways endearing, / Have our lives worthwhile, / And our days are made more perfect, / By your lovely baby smile / HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! (printed in the centre of the card.)
  • To Little Jennifer / with lots of love / From Aunty Bill / & all / xxxx
  • THE HOUSE OF STOREY / PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN
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
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
Accession number
B.353-2010

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Record createdFebruary 1, 2011
Record URL
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