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Birthday Card

1962 (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 an illustration of a cartoon teddy bear dressed as a postman delivering birthday cards, A Kaye Gibson card, England, 1962. Given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her sixth birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed card. Image on the front depicts a bear dressed as a postman carrying a satchel of letter, he is lifting one letter out of the satchel. Inside the card there are both printed and hand written greetings.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.5cm
  • Closed width: 9.7cm
  • Open width: 19.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY / TO JENNIFER' (printed on front of card ('TO JENNIFER' is hand written))
  • 'A happy wish / For Birthday fun / To make your / day / A merry one!' (printed inside card)
  • 'To: Jennifer / with lots of love / + best wishes for / a very happy birthday. / Auntie Dossie' (hand written inside 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.426-2010

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Record createdJune 24, 2011
Record URL
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