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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 flocking.
Brief description
Colour printed birthday card with an illustration of a girl and a boy roller skating, printed in England for Kaye Gibson Ltd., 1964, given to Jennifer Leaver (nee Davies) on her eighth birthday.
Physical description
Colour printed birthday card with an illustration of a girl and a boy roller skating, decorated with white flock. Printed greeting on front and inside, and handwritten greeting on inside. One piece of paper folded in four.
Dimensions
  • Height: 17.6cm
  • Closed width: 7.4cm
  • Open width: 14.9cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY - / NOW YOU'RE 8' (printed on front of card)
  • 'GET ROLLING, / GET GOING, / HAVE FUN ON THIS / DATE! / IT'S GRAND TO HAVE / BIRTHDAYS / AND GREAT TO BE / EIGHT!' (printed inside card)
  • 'To Jennifer / From Janet and / Graham. / xxx.' (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.468-2010

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Record createdJune 28, 2011
Record URL
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