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Birthday Card

1964 (printed)
Artist/Maker
KG (publisher)
Place of origin
England (printed)

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
Children & Childhood
Greeting Cards
Object type
Birthday card
Materials and techniques
Colour printed paper.
Brief description
Colour printed pop up birthday card showing a girl in a blue white and gold dress with two black poodles, printed in England, 1964. Given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her eighth birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed card. Colour printed pop up birthday card showing a girl in blue and white striped dress holding a black poodle puppy, with a black poodle with pink bow sitting next to her. Embellished with gold paint. Inside is a pop out showing the girl pushing a pram with the poodles in, with a black and a white poodle following her. Printed greetings on the front and inside, with handwritten greeting inside as well. One sheet of paper folded in four.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17cm
  • Closed width: 13.6cm
  • Open width: 26.8cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Very Special / Birthday Wishes / 8 / TO- / DAY' (printed on front of card)
  • 'My little doggies love me and / I'm sure they love you too / For they told me that they want to say / A special "How do you do" / And wish you just the happiest day / That you have ever had / With lots of fun and presents / And things to make you glad. / BIRTHDAY / WISHES' (printed inside card)
  • 'x / x / x / x / X / John Jill X X / X / 8 / x / x / x / x / X / 8 / JENNIFER X' (Handwritten 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
Birthday
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
Young V&A Collection
Accession number
B.455-2010

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Record createdJune 28, 2011
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1223986/birthday-card-kg/
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