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 with an illustration of a pink and white basket filled with flowers, a Hallmark empire card, 1963. Given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her seventh birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed card. Image on the front depicts a pink and white basket of flowers, two butterflies fly around the flowers, image is decorated with glitter. Two more butterflies and printed and hand written greetings inside the card. One sheet of paper folded in four.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.2cm
  • Closed width: 12.1cm
  • Open width: 24.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'For You on Your Birthday' (printed on front of card)
  • 'This isn't just a birthday wish / For happiness today - - / It's a wish that lots / of happy things / Will always come your way! / Happy Birthday' (printed inside card)
  • ''Dear Jennifer / from Uncle Arther + Aunty Nellie' (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.450-2010

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Record createdJune 24, 2011
Record URL
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