Not on display

Birthday Card

1963 (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 white poodle with a red rose between its teeth on a pink stripey background, from the Mason's Alpha series, printed in Great Britain, 1963. Given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her seventh birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed card. Image on the front depicts a white poodle holding a red rose between its teeth, it is wearing a pink collar with a gold medallion. Inside the card are printed and hand written greetings and another picture of the poodle. One sheet of paper folded in four.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.3cm
  • Closed width: 15.0cm
  • Open width: 29.8cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Happy Birthday' (printed on front of card)
  • 'A cheery, sunny Greeting, / Is being sent your way, / To wish you joy and gladness, / Upon this Happy day: / And when your Birthday's over, / May happiness remain / To make each hour a pleasure / Until it comes again!' (printed inside card)
  • 'LOVE AND KISSES / TO JENNIFER / FROM BROTHER JOHN / XXXXXXX' (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.438-2010

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Record createdJune 24, 2011
Record URL
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