Not currently on display at the V&A

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 of a kangaroo handing her joey a present, 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 kangaroo wearing a blue bow around her neck and with a joey in her pouch, they are holding a present together. There is a gold foil '7' in the top right hand corner. Inside the card is a pop-up picture of the two kangeroos jumping, above the image is a printed greeting. Hand written greeting on reverse.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.8cm
  • Closed width: 14.7cm
  • Open width: 29.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY / YOU / ARE / 7' (printed on front of card)
  • 'This kangeroo said he's not / be late / Because he knows it is your date / He's glad to hop along to you / With love and Birthday / wishes, too. / Lots of fun / on your / Birthday' (printed inside card)
  • 'To Jennifer / With Love From / Yvonne Susan' (hand written on 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.440-2010

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Record createdJune 24, 2011
Record URL
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