Wednesday 24 July 2013

Mabel Lucie Attwell and the Boo-Boos original birthday cards

The Mabel Lucie Attwell cards featured in this post are now sold, thank you for your interest.

I love anything illustrated by Mabel Lucie Attwell so to be offered seven vintage birthday cards was something of a thrill!  There is very little publishing information – just - Valentine’s series printed in Gt. Britain. Six of the seven are now listed on eBay one was a duplicate, so I’m keeping that one.

Three cards feature the Boo-Boos (cheery, chubby, good little pixies, dressed in green suits). Anything featuring the Boo-Boos is usually very popular so it will be interesting to see if they sell better than the others. Or maybe they won’t sell at all – only time will tell. 

Happy You now you're TWO

May your Birthday bring along all that I wish for You -
Lots of lovely things to see and lots of things to do.

Blank unused card


Three little rabbits out to tea. They're telling everyone you are THREE.

The rabbits told a Fairy, and the Fairy has told me about a little somebody who to-day is THREE. So "Happy, Happy Birthday and lots of Love, my Dear - may Fairy gifts surround you to last you all the year!"

Many happy returns! Best wishes for Fiona from Mrs. Grant.
A beautiful card with the added attraction of a Boo-boo sitting atop a mushroom!


Happy Birthday darling!

A little bird tells us that you are three - what a very nice age to be!
"May you be happy" is what we all say, with everything lovely the whole of the day!

Love from Uncle Frank & Auntie Winifred
Lots of Boo-Boos in this very special card not only outside but inside too and just look at those cute toadstool houses!


What's this we hear? You're THREE my Dear!

We wish you happy for many a year - and a real Happy Birthday To-day!
May your Birthday be Lucky and bring you To-day all you could wish for in every way.

With love from Grandpa & Nanna


4 Happy Birthday!

Good morning, little four year old - I'm glad your Birthday's here - I'm sending you a Birthday Kiss to give yourself - you dear!

With love and lots of kisses xxxx from auntie Jessie
I think this is my favourite of all the cards. Boo Boos and birds - perfect!


Four To-day!

I'm hoping you may be ever so jolly in every way. "Many Happy Returns," my dear!
Here is the secret the little bird told - it's the very good news you are FOUR years old.
There isn't a doubt - and we all agree. That Four is a very nice age to be. So I wish you joy, Yes - that I do- for this, and all other Birthdays too.

Lots of love and a big kiss from Auntie Beth




Do you like the little blue birds in the background? Terry found this and several other sheets of old wrapping paper at a vintage fair. I would like to use it for something, but I’m not sure what. It would look lovely lining a bookcase, or in the bottom of a chest of draws, but I don’t particularly want to cut it up. Any ideas?

43 comments:

  1. I absolutely adore Mabel Lucie Attwell's
    illustrations - yet more books I must dig
    out and blog about!

    Your vintage paper is beautiful and would
    look perfect lining a book case, but it
    would be a shame to keep it hidden away.

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    1. Hi Yvonne, I’m looking forward to your Lucie Attwell post already!
      That’s just how I feel about the paper, it needs to be on show rather than showing off something else. Thanks for commenting.

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  2. Those cards are just so sweet! The paper would be good as lining or for a bookcase as mentioned by Yvonne. x

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    1. I'm glad you think so. I was over the moon when I was asked if I would like to buy them.

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  3. Hello dear Barbara..thanks so much for sharing Sooty's anniversary the other day. And now these adorable cards!! "May fairy gifts surround you to last you all the year" that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard!!
    Sometimes when I find a picture or a vintage paper like that that I simply cannot bear to ruin I take it in to the colour copy place down the road & have it colour copied on to "silk" light card (usually) & then I can keep the original but still use the loveliness. This worked brilliantly when I copied some gorgeous old postcards...they came out so well. I chose beautiful coloured textured card to stick them on & made a huge pile of lovely cards to keep in the cupboard for birthdays & things. I am so pleased that I still have the original postcards now. Hope you enjoyed your visitors..have a lovely week. much love Catherine x0x0x

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    1. Hello Catherine, that is SUCH a good idea! I wonder if I could get them copied onto large sheets of paper and use as they were intended - for wrapping presents. I really like your card idea and will be trying that out myself. I’ve got lots of vintage cards and postcards, and it would be lovely to be able to share them. Barbara xxx

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  4. Good morning my favorite blogger of vintage books!

    The joy I get every time I open your page is as colorful as these illustrations. I hope your summer day is as beautiful as mine, rain or shine! Anita

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    1. My goodness Anita your lovely comment is so much more than I deserve! I always look forward to your visits and to my visits to your wondrous blog. Hugs!

      If anyone reading this hasn't visited Anita – you really, really should http://wwwcastlescrownscottages.blogspot.co.uk/ if you enjoy beautiful things you won’t be disappointed.

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  5. Definitely something to display, this paper is far too nice to be used as a draw liner.

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    1. Hello Tracy, I absolutely agree. I’m going to try Catherine’s idea so that I can use the copies for wrapping but there must be something more I can do with it. I have my thinking cap on and will let you know if anything surfaces!!

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  6. Those cards are just adorable :) Such a nice combination of lovely illustrations and sweet little verses.
    The vintage paper looks beautiful, hope you will find good use for it!

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    1. Thank you Hilde, I will be sure to let you know what I use it for.

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  7. These are way too cute. I just love those chubby faces, and yes the bluebirds are adorable.

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    1. Cute really is the only word that adequately describes these. I appreciate your comment Donna, thank you.

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  8. They are adorable Barbara - my favourite is the one with the nest - just the cutest!

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    1. Hi Sharon, that's my favourite too. I wish three were two of those so that I could feel it was OK to keep one! If none of them sell they will be going straight into my keepsake box. But don’t tell anyone!

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  9. absolutely gorgeous. I love the boo boos and the birds

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. Thank you! I'm glad you called in because I had 'lost touch' with you - I will be over for a visit any time now!

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  10. How adorable are those cards! I love the bluebird paper too.It woudl be a shame to cut it up. I'm sure you wil find the perfect place for it.

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    1. I agree it would be a shame to cut it up. Luckily, Catherine came up with a brilliant idea that I'm going to use. That way, I can keep the paper and use it too! Thanks for calling in Darlene, it's always lovely to have a visit from you.

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    2. Catherine's idea is great!

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    3. Indeed it is! I’m so glad I asked for ideas.

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  11. Replies
    1. Hello earthenmagic, thanks for the smile. I've tried to leave a comment on your blog but can't find anywhere to do so?

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  12. Sweet Barbara!!!!!! How lovely it is to see your comment this morning, as I slept in and I'm starting my day rather late! Thank you for your comments that share with me an understanding of how memories come to us in so many ways. But of course, the senses are strong and for those of us with visual capacities that go beyond what is seen with the eyes, all the more poignant. Enjoy this day as I hope you are able to bask in the sunlight of good memories. Anita

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    1. Dear Anita, it’s only now that I begin to realise just how precious those memories are. Maybe we all need to get to certain age or stage in our lives before realisation truly dawns.
      I hope you have a beautiful day. Barbara xx

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  13. These are adorable! I am so glad you got to keep one for yourself. Yeah for a duplicate! I am glad Catherine was able to come up with a great idea for the paper (I was stumped). :)

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  14. Oh- and thanks for letting us know that the blog is giving you trouble when you try to comment. So sorry to hear that, but we appreciate your efforts to leave a comment somewhere on the blog for us.

    One thing I found that helps me when blogger is doing that is to hit- preview instead of publish and then it lets me hit publish after that. I hope that will help you, but you may have already tried that trick!

    Good luck and we always love to hear from you!

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    1. Hello Stephanie, I was delighted when I realised two cards had the same design – it meant I could keep one without feeling guilty! Catherine came up with a really inspired, and I’m going to give it a go.

      I’ve never tried the preview before publishing trick. I will pop over now and see if it lets me leave another comment. It will be a good excuse to call in and read some more of your fantastic posts! xx

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  15. These MLA cards are really adorable! I especially love the card with the little girl having tea with rabbits. I also like the vintage wrapping paper, and this blue bird design is very sweet. Can't wait to hear what you decide to do with it. (Lining or backing something sounds like a good way to keep it in big pieces.)

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    1. Hi Gayle, I keep changing my mind about my favourite. I was sure it was the one with the Boo-Boos and birds – but I’m not so sure now. I think they are all my favourites!

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  16. Oh Barbara!! You already know how much I love Mabel Lucie Attwell and her Boo Boos...! Her illustrations are really gorgeous.
    Fortunately I have found another wonderful set of plates and cup with these sweet images, I will share them soon.
    I love the inscriptions too.
    Besos!

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    1. Hello Silvina, I do indeed, and I was sure you would like these. They are just so pretty. I’m already looking forward to seeing your plates and cups; you always find the nicest things. Barbara x

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  17. Classic cuteness overload and the signed ones are even cuter!!

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    1. A double helping of cute is always good! Thanks for your comment Eve.

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  18. Now, that donkey is so adorable. I favor the duck and mice though. What cute birthday cards.

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  19. Those cards look so lovely. I love that wrapping paper too, I don't think I'd want to cut it either!

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    1. Hi Nikki-ann, it would be a real shame to cut it, but on the other hand, it would be nice to use it. Photo copying is the way to go!

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  20. Oh look at their little cheeks! What a fun illustration!
    -Jamie
    ChatterBlossom

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    1. Hello Jamie, They have what my mum used to call ‘chubby cheeks’ and very sweet they are too!

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  21. ~ Hi Barbara...What a cheery post and I wonder just who can resist Mabel Lucy Attwell's beautiful illustrations...I think they are wonderful!! ~ Thanks for sharing with us all...Big hugs Maria x

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    1. Hello Maria, you’re home – how lovely! I will be over to visit you as soon as I’ve left this. xx

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I really appreciate your comment. Thank you!
Barbara xx