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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 pop up card with a cartoon illustration of a kitten holding a bunch of red roses and a number 3, made by Chimes, England, 1959. Given to Jennier Leaver (nee Davies) on her third birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed card folded in to four sections with a vertical spine and a portrait format. The front of the card has a cartoon illustration of a kitten holding a gold number 3 and a bunch of flowers. The inside of the card has a pop up section with another kitten handing a present to another kitten. There are printed and hand written messages in the card.
Dimensions
  • Width: 13.7cm
  • Height: 16.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • HAPPY BIRTHDAY / DEAR (printed on front of card)
  • HAPPY BIRTHDAY / TO YOU TODAY / AND LOTS OF / EXCITING / GAMES TO PLAY (PRINTED INSIDE)
  • To Jennifer / with our love / Mummy & Daddy / xxx (hand written inside)
  • CHIMEs / Trade Marx / B/83
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.371-2010

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Record createdFebruary 16, 2011
Record URL
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