Vintage Father’s Day cards showed how kids shared sweet sentiments with dad
Father’s Day got off to a slow start in the U.S. The first recognized event was organized in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd, who wanted to honor her own dad — a Civil War veteran and single parent. While the idea caught on gradually, it took until 1972 for Father’s Day to be officially recognized as a national holiday. (Find out more at the end of the page!) That delay didn’t stop greeting card companies from getting in on the occasion early, though. By the 1950s, shops were stocked with bright, funny and sometimes sentimental cards just for dad.
The design of these cards reflected the times. In the 1950s, you’d find classic themes like slippers, neckties and newspaper-reading dads, along with cartoon dogs mowing the lawn or bears going fishing. The 1960s and 70s saw more variety, with some cards poking gentle fun at the daily grind of fatherhood while others kept it sweet and simple. Many were clearly aimed at kids choosing a card for their dad or grandfather, full of wide-eyed animals and rhyming messages.
By 1975, over 66 million Father’s Day cards were expected to go through the mail, according to Hallmark. That’s a lot of envelopes and stamps, all leading to one Sunday morning in June. Companies like Gibson and Hallmark made sure there were plenty of choices — funny or heartfelt, elaborate or plain — and helped shape the way generations of Americans expressed appreciation for the father figures in their lives.
We’ve gathered a collection of vintage Father’s Day cards from the 50s through the 70s that capture this charming part of the holiday’s history. These old cards show how kids celebrated their dads in a time before emails and texts, when a card in the mail meant something extra.
While these cute and child-friendly vintage Father’s Day cards represent just a fraction of the millions sold over the years, they do a good job showing the kind of sweet sentiments that kids expressed for dad (and grandpa) in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
To Daddy, from your little girl
Vintage Father’s Day cards – From your son
For you, Dad, from the both of us – A first-class wish
Grandpa, I love you
A Father’s Day wish — just for you, DAD
Vintage card: A little bear fishing
With love to Daddy on Father’s Day
To my Daddy on Father’s Day
Rooster reading: For my Dad on Father’s Day
Puppy mowing the lawn: To you on Father’s Day
For you, Dad, on Father’s Day
Sure hope your day rolls right along without a single care, and that the year ahead is filled…
Vintage Father’s Day cards – From your little girl
Here’s a young daughter bringing dad his slippers and the newspaper
A brief history of Father’s Day (1975)
Mother having had her day, now it’s dad’s turn. Sunday, June 15 [1975] marks the 65th celebration of Father’s Day.
The occasion is likely to be a big one for retailers of gifts like ties, pipes, slippers and sporting goods. Post offices, too, will be busy.
George L. Parker of Hallmark, the world’s leading publisher of greeting cards, estimates that more than 66 million Father’s Day cards will go through the mail this year.
According to Parker, the earliest known forerunner of the Father’s Day card is a clay tablet written almost 4,000 years ago in Babylonia. It was chiseled by a certain Elmesu and petitioned the gods to grant his father good health and long life.
Observance of Father’s Day in America, says Hallmark’s Parker, was brought about by a woman. Mrs Bruce Dodd of Spokane, Washington, who was one of a family of six children whose mother died in 1898. Her father, William Jackson Smart, brought up his motherless offspring single-handedly.
To honor both her own father and fathers everywhere, Mrs Dodd arranged a memorial church service on the third Sunday in June 1910. Father’s Day has been celebrated annually on that day ever since.
It was only as recently as 1972, however, that Father’s Day became ‘official’ by presidential proclamation. The Mother’s Day proclamation, on the other hand, was signed by President Wilson back in 1914.
Just as men are different from women, says Parker, so are the cards sent to greet them. Greeting cards for fathers, unlike most of those sent to Mom on Mother’s Day, are often humorous.
Father’s Day shoppers this year will find more than just greetings at card shops and stores. In addition, many shops selling Hallmark products have such masculine gifts as wood-crafted pens and pencils, playing cards, gift books and a selection of jigsaw puzzles and adult games by Springbok, a Hallmark subsidiary.
Father’s Day cards you can buy today
- Front message: They don't make 'em like you anymore.
- Inside message: Happy Father's Day to a true classic.
- Father's Day greeting card features a three-dimensional design of a shiny blue antique car paired with fun Father's Day wishes for a special guy. Foil accents with a 3D die-cut attachment.
- A TIMELESS CHARM FOR YOUR DAD - Celebrate Father's Day with the 5x7in Fathers Day cards for dad featuring a sleek red foiled vintage car cutout and striking gold foil accents, thoughtfully designed to...
- COMPLETE FATHER'S DAY CARD DAD SET - This Father s day card for dad includes a matching envelope with gold foil accent, printed inner lining, and a pre-water soluble gum closure. It also comes with...
- A MESSAGE STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART - This Dad Fathers Day card features a printed message inside that easily expresses your love & admiration. The Fathers Day card car also offers ample space for your...
- Don't hesitate! Choose our unique vintage classic car greeting card to express your feelings with more sincerity and depth.
- Celebrate Father’s Day with a touch of humor! Surprise your dad with our hilarious and sweet card, specially designed for the best husbands out there.
- Sized at 8.1 x 5.3 inches(20.5 x 13.5 cm), Printed on high quality 300gsm paper card our card comes with a sturdy red envelope and transparent cellophane wrapping to prevent damage to the card.
- Our funny classic car Father's Day card is perfect to gift brother, dad, uncle, grandpa, cousin, husband, colleague, or friend.
- The car Fathers Day cards feature unique and creative designs that ensure an impressive and emotional impact on the recipient.
- Crafted from premium 300gsm sustainable card stock with professional printing, this stylish card comes with a premium thick envelope, ready to be given as a special gift or meaningful addition.
- "Funny Father’s Day Card for Dad Celebrate Dad with a bold and playful Father’s Day card that turns exaggerated praise into a memorable joke. It is a fun choice for families who enjoy witty humor...
- "A Novelty Gift with Strong Personality More than a greeting card, this design also works as a memorable Father’s Day gift. It adds humor, attitude, and a conversation-starting feel to the...
- "Retro Satirical Style with Strong Visual Appeal The campaign-style wording, loud praise, and cartoon artwork make this card stand out right away. A great option for shoppers looking for a cheeky...
