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Birthday Card

1959 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Chimes (publisher)
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
colour printed card
Brief description
colour printed birthday card with a cartoon illustration of a lamb with a wheelbarrow or presents, made in 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 section of the card is recessed from the centre section so part of the under image of a dog can be seen. the front of the card shows an illustration of a cartoon lamb pushing a wheelbarrow full of birthday presents. There are printed and hand written messages in the card.
Dimensions
  • Width: 17.2cm
  • Height: 14.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • BIRTHDAY JOYS / NOW YOU ARE / 3 / TODAY (printed on front of card)
  • HERE'S A CURLY LITTLE LAMB / AND A SINGING BIRDIE, TOO, / WITH A BARROW FULL OF GREETINGS / THAT ARE ESPECIALLY FOR YOU / TO WISH YOU HOURS OF BIRTHDAY FUN / FROM MORNING UNTIL DAY IS DONE. (PRINTED INSIDE)
  • To Dear little / Jennifer / With lots of / love from Aunty Bell / (hand written on the back)
  • 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
Birthday
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.371-2010

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Record createdFebruary 16, 2011
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1192958/birthday-card-chimes/
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