Not currently on display at the V&A

Birthday Card

1961 (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 birthday card with a photograph of two children at the beach playing with sailing boats, made by Sharpe's Classic, England, 1961. Given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her fifth birthday.
Physical description
colour printed birthday card folded in to four sections in a portrait format with a vertical spine.The card has a photographic image of a girl and a boy playing with sailing boats on the beach. there is text written in golden glitter on the front and printed and hand written messages inside the card.
Dimensions
  • Width: 13.2cm
  • Height: 16.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • WISHING YOU A / JOLLY BITHDAY / NOW YOU ARE / 5 (printed on front of card)
  • You've not had many birthdays / But TO_DAY you're having one, / And i wish you such a lovely time / And every kind of fun. / HAPPY BIRTHDAY (printed in middle of card)
  • To jennifer / Lots of love and kisses / from auntie Milly / and Susan xxxxx (hand written in middle of card)
  • Sharpe's Classic / Made in England (printed on back of card)
  • C70 / 4 / 22 (printed on the back of 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.
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.400-2010

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Record createdMarch 1, 2011
Record URL
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