Strip of rubber with comic verse on a birthday card

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Strip of rubber with comic verse on a birthday card

Strip of rubber for mending a puncture, with comic verse on a birthday card. Date: circa 1890s

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 23075216

© The David Pearson Collection/Mary Evans Picture Library

Birthday Mending Puncture Puns Rubber Strip Verbal Verse Wordplay

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EDITORS COMMENTS
A Whimsical Birthday Wish: A Strip of Rubber from the Past! Step back in time with this delightful late Victorian birthday card from the 1890s. The front design features a charming comic verse that plays on the double meaning of the word 'strip.' In one sense, a strip refers to the strip of rubber used for mending a puncture in a tire or tube. In another sense, it can mean to take off or remove layers, as in the verse written on this card. The red background adds a pop of color and warmth to the design, while the comic verse brings a touch of humor and wordplay. The pun, a form of wit that exploits multiple meanings of a term or similar-sounding words for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect, is a classic element of Victorian-era humor. The verse reads, "A Strip for Your Tire, A Strip for Your Cheer! Happy Birthday!" This playful wordplay suggests that the recipient will receive both a practical gift (a strip of rubber for mending a tire) and a figurative one (happiness or cheer). The use of the word 'strip' in both contexts adds to the cleverness of the verse. This quirky birthday card is a testament to the enduring appeal of wordplay and puns, which continue to be popular forms of humor today. It also offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the creativity and whimsy of Victorian-era design and humor.

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