"It's your Birthday, Mother! Don't cook - don't clean," circa 1960

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Artifact Overview

Colorful, commercially designed greeting cards were popular in early 20th-century America--especially on birthdays and holidays. The image and message on this card reflect traditional gender roles, in which the mother did the cooking and housecleaning for her family. Only on her birthday, the card suggests, was she allowed to take a break.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Birthday card

Date Made

circa 1960

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

94.66.69

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Helen Hopkins.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 6 in
Width: 4.875 in

Inscriptions

Text on front of card: It's your Birthday MOTHER! / Don't cook- / Don't clean-
"It's your Birthday, Mother! Don't cook - don't clean," circa 1960