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Birthday Card

1964 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Envoy (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 card.
Brief description
Colour printed birthday card showing a girl, boy and dog dressed as circus clowns, holding balloons, printed in England for Enroy, 1964. Given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her eighth birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed card. Image on front shows two children and a puppy dressed in clown outfits, holding balloons against a pink background. Printed greetings on the front and inside, with handwritten greeting inside as well.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15.4cm
  • Closed width: 10.5cm
  • Open width: 20.9cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'HAVE BIRTHDAY FUN / NOW YOU ARE 8' (printed on front of card)
  • 'HERE'S A GREAT BIG / BIRTHDAY WISH / BECAUSE THIS SPECIAL / DATE / IS JUST THE ONE YOU'VE / WAITED FOR / THE DAY WHEN YOU / ARE EIGHT!' (printed inside card)
  • 'To Jennifer / From Uncle Cyril / & / Auntie Bessie' (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.456-2010

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Record createdJune 28, 2011
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1223988/birthday-card-envoy/
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