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Birthday Card

1959 (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 with a cartoon illustration of a kitten dressed in a sparkling dress with a floral hat and a parasol, made by Hallmark Cards, Great Britain. Given to Jennifer Leaver (neé Davis) on her third birthday, 1959
Physical description
Birthday card made from colour printed card folded in two. The front of the card has a cartoon illustration of a kitten dressed in a sparkling blue dress, a floral hat and holding a parasol. Parts of the card's shape have been cut out on the right around the shape of the kitten. There is another images in black and white of the kitten inside as well as printed and hand written messages.
Dimensions
  • Width: 10cm
  • When closed and flat height: 15cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • HAPPY / BIRTHDAY / TO A SWEET / Little / Miss (printed on the front of the card)
  • To a sweet little / Miss / with a big / birthday kiss! (printed inside the card)
  • To Jennifer / with love / from / Jill / xxxx (hand written inside the card)
  • Hallmark Cards / GREAT BRITAIN LTD. (printed on back)
  • 10B 170-1 / 6 (printed on back of card)
Credit line
Given by Jennifer Leaver
Object history
One of 269 cards donated by Jennifer Leaver 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.366-2010

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Record createdFebruary 15, 2011
Record URL
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