Not currently on display at the V&A

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 birthday card with an illustration of kittens playing in a barrel full of pink roses and other blue flowers, printed in Great Britain for Hallmark Cards, 1964, given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her eighth birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed birthday card with an illustration of kittens playing in a barrel full of pink roses and other blue flowers, embossed and with gold embellishments. Printed greetings on the front and inside, with handwritten greetings inside. One piece of paper folded in four and cut to shape.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15.9cm
  • Closed width: 11.3cm
  • Open width: 23.4cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'A Basket of / BIRTHDAY WISHES' (printed on front of card)
  • 'This basket's overflowing / With good wishes just for you / For lots of happiness today / And for the whole year, too! / Happy Birthday' (printed inside card)
  • 'with lots of love - from Auntie Nellie & / Uncle Arthur. Sorry our good wishes / missed your birthday - hope you had a / jolly time - xxxxx' (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.460-2010

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Record createdJune 28, 2011
Record URL
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