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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.
Brief description
Colour printed card illustrated with blue flowers and white flowers with glitter sprays, by Norcross and a Valentine's Cloth of Gold card, 1964, given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her eighth birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed card. Image on front shows a bunch of blue flowers, wtih some white flowers with glitter embellishments. Printed greetings on the front and inside, with more blue flowers and handwritten greeting inside as well. One piece of paper folded in four.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.7cm
  • Closed width: 11.3cm
  • Open width: 22.3cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'A Birthday Wish / from / GRANDFATHER / Especially for You' (printed on front of card)
  • 'This birthday note has lots of love / And it's coming just to say / "May you have many happy returns / Of a very happy day - / May lots of joy - the best of health / Good luck and cheer combine / To make each day the whole year through / In every way just fine"' (printed inside card)
  • 'To Jennifer with Love / from Grandad' (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
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.457-2010

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Record createdJune 28, 2011
Record URL
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