Happy Thanksgiving!


Digital Media
November 28, 2013

It’s the fourth Thursday in November, which for all of our American friends can only mean one thing: Thanksgiving. Here are a few collections highlights from the good old US of A to help celebrate the big day.

The most important element of any Thanksgiving feast is the turkey. Unfortunately, the lady in this 19th-century poster seems to be having a bit of trouble with a feisty bird.

Lippincott's November, poster, Wil Carqueville, 1895. Museum no. E.1358-2004. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

For many, Thanksgiving goes hand in hand with American football. This early 20th-century table game would have been perfect for less athletic sports fans, or those who are a little too full of turkey and cranberry.

The Football Game, table game, Parker Bros., USA, 1900-1915. Museum no. MISC.82-1975.  Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

While today is for eating and giving thanks, tomorrow is for shopping. The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. It’s a heavily discounted shopping frenzy that is even beginning to catch on in the UK. For a hectic shopping spree, you need a sturdy handbag, and they don’t come much sturdier than this chic 1950s example, made out of Lucite – a hard plastic also known as Perspex.

Bag, Rialto, New York, 1950s. Museum no. T.217-1991. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

And finally, it’s an extra special Thanksgiving this year. For the first time in over a century, the holiday falls at the same time as Hanukkah. So a very happy Thanksgivukkah to everyone who is celebrating today.

Menorah greetings card, Ted Naos for The Art Institute of Chicago, 1994. Museum no. E.467-1998. ©Victoria and Albert Museum, London/Ted Naos

If you are interested in American art and design, there are many more objects from across the pond waiting to be explored through Search the Collections

American Flag Brooch, unknown maker, USA, 1940 - 1945. Museum no. M.218-2007. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

About the author


Digital Media
November 28, 2013

Former Content Editor in the Digital Media department. I love finding interesting stories and unusual objects hidden in the V&A Collections. I blog about all things digital media, with the...

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