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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 girl singing and acting as a musical conductor to a singing yellow bird in a cage. Printed by Hallmark and published by Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd., England. Given to Jennifer Leaver (neé Davis) on her third birthday, 1959
Physical description
Birthday card made from colour printed card folded into four sections with a vertical spine and a portrait format. The front of the card shows a xartoon llustration of a girl singing and acting as a musical conductor to a singing yellow bird in a cage. inside the card is another picture of the bird in a cage with muscial notes floating across the page. There are printed and hand written notes in the card. Printed by Hallmark and published by Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd.,
Dimensions
  • Width: 9.8cm
  • When closed and flat height: 12.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • A Note for Your / Birthday (printed on front of card)
  • I hope your birthday, / all day long, / Will be as happy as a song / And after that, / I'm hoping too, / That you'll be happy / all year through! (printed in the middle of the card)
  • Our love and best wishes, / to you dear / From Uncle Arthur & Aunty Nellie / x (hand written inside the card)
  • Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd. / BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN / FINE ART PUBLISHERS / AND TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER / FINE ART PUBLISHERS (printed on back of card)
  • Hallmark / MADE IN ENGLAND / COPYRIGHT (BACK OF CARD)
  • B 1505 / 10B50-5 (Printed on the 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.367-2010

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Record createdFebruary 15, 2011
Record URL
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