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Birthday Card

1958 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Academy (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
printed card
Brief description
Colour printed birthday card for a 2 year old, depicting a cartoon mother bear washing a baby bear in a bathtub, printed / published in England by Academy, given to Jennifer Leaver (née Davies), 1958.
Physical description
colour printed card folded in four sections.The card has a cut out section that enables the front image of a baby bear in the bath to flip over and still be viewed when the card is opened. there are printed and hand written messages in the card.
Dimensions
  • Width: 14cm
  • Height: 15.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Now you are 2 (printed on the front of the card)
  • TEDDY BEAR / and his Mummy, too, / Bring my Birthday wish / to you / For a time that's / bright and gay / With lots / of lovely fun today. / HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (printed in centre of the card.)
  • To Jennifer with love / from Mr & Mrs Mackie / Happy birthday
  • Academy / printed in England (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.360-2010

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Record createdFebruary 1, 2011
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1191250/birthday-card-academy/
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