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Birthday Card

1964 (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 paper, with cut out and folded pop out.
Brief description
Colour printed pop up birthday card with an illustration of a girl washing her dog in a tub, printed in England, 1964. Given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her eighth birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed card. Image on the front depicts a girl in pink dress and blue pinafore, towelling her dog after it has been washed in a yellow tub. The card is embellished with gold paint. There is a printed greeting on the front that continues inside, where there is also a pop out image of the girl and puppy running. Handwritten greetings are on the back of the card. One sheet of paper folded in four.
Dimensions
  • Height: 18.9cm
  • Closed width: 29.3cm
  • Open width: 25.2cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY / YOU / ARE / 8 / Today' (printed on front of card)
  • 'With lots of lovely presents / And Birthday cards as well / May your day be more jolly / Than any words can tell; / And as you're one year older / And one year nicer, too, / Here's hoping gay surprises / Delight you all day through.' (printed inside card)
  • 'To Dear Jennifer / Love From / Denise / xxxxx' (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.452-2010

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Record createdJune 28, 2011
Record URL
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