The collection consists of over 2,000 pieces of original artwork used by greeting card and calendar companies, and spans the approximate years 1930-1990. Many of the pieces within the collection are labeled with a Norcross stamp or specifications sticker. The Norcross Greeting Card Company was founded in 1914 by Arthur Norcross and his sister, Jane, in New York City. They published greeting cards, and also sold wrapping papers and parchments. After Arthur Norcross' death in 1969, the business floundered and was sold for the first time in 1974. Subsequent sales saw Norcross combined with Rust Craft Company, but this venture was unsuccessful and what remained of Norcross was later sold at auction. Tempo Graphic Arts, Inc., Miquon Greetings, and Quality Art Novelty Company are stamped or written on some of the works, as well. A few pieces of artwork are accompanied by the partial or final version of the greeting card. Well-known artists with work in the collection include: Joseph Rudolph "Rudy" Nappi, Marjorie Cooper, Ferd Sondern, and Joseph Giordano.
The digitized items here do not represent the entirety of the Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Sharkey Greeting Card Collection, 1930-1990. To view what other materials are in this collection but not yet digitized and available online, search the guide to the Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Sharkey Greeting Card Collection, 1930-1990.
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American Gothic with martini
Greeting card art, recreation of the painting "American Gothic" by Grant Wood, except that man is holding a martini with an olive on a toothpick in place of the pitchfork, "Humor. Wedd. Anniv." written on bottom, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color. This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists. Dates range from the 1930's and 1940's, the 1960's through 1980's, and those from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Angels and white lilies
Greeting card art, three little girls with angel wings standing on cloud around group of three large white lilies; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Angels in candy bowl
Christmas card art, four small angels playing in candy bowl with pine boughs, ornaments, and candles in background, Norcross stamp on back of art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists. Dates range from the 1930's and 1940's, the 1960's through 1980's, and those from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Angels lighting street lamps
Greeting card art, small child angels light street lamps at dusk using long poles, buildings in background; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Angels on stone balcony
Greeting card art, group of blonde-haired child angels playing trumpets on a stone balcony overlooking a town with snow-capped roofs; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Angels with basket of stars
Greeting card art, two angels standing in clouds, one holding basket full of stars; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Angels with Gothic design and bells
Greeting card art, 5 baby angels, with Gothic arch and spires, ringing bells as white doves fly around them; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Animals and small childrens toys
Oversize; various scenes of animals and dolls, animals include bunnies, kittens, puppies, swans, and chicks; dolls, blocks, bottles, and childrens toys are also present. background is light pink with pastel flowers; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Animals on Ferris wheel with Easter eggs
Greeting card art, Easter card art, variety of animals riding on Ferris wheel, many with decorated Easter eggs, "Juv. Gen. East. Juv. Godchild East." written at bottom of art, Norcross stamp on back of art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Anniversary couple avoiding responsibilities
Oversize, "Hum. Anniv." written on bottom on front of art, husband and wife sitting casually inside while people outside clamor for payment, watercolor or pastels, color
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Baby and duckling
Greeting card art, baby wearing bonnet riding on back of duckling, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains art from various artists, many from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby and puppy birthday
Greeting card art, Birthday card art; baby and puppy both holding up one finger, baby also sucking on his thumb; "1 Year Birthday" written at bottom of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Baby and puppy in heart
Valentine's Day Card, Blue-eyed baby and puppy framed in heart on white background, "Val. Day- Baby's First" written on bottom, Verse taped on back of art reads: "FOR BABY'S 1ST VALENTINE'S DAY Baby, you're so loveable So sweet and cute and dear That all your friends and family Are extra happy this year. For you're their brand-new sweetheart And, Honey, you just bet You'll make this Happy Valentine's Day The happiest, best one yet! LOTS OF LOVE, BABY DEAR" watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists. Dates range from the 1930's and 1940's, the 1960's through 1980's, and those from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby angel on power line pole
Greeting card art, baby angel sitting on top of pole for power lines, looking into the distance watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains art from various artists, many from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby angel petting rabbit
Greeting card art, baby angel petting a rabbit in the woods while snow falls on them, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains art from various artists, many from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby angels with Christmas bell
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, two baby angels playing with large golden bell on a ribbon; one angel is on the bell while the other is on the ribbon, holly and red berries decorate the bell and ribbon; the background is black with gold stars, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains art from various artists, many from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby angels with empty frame
Oversize; four baby angels surrounding blue-bordered blank oval; baby angels are on clouds and some have yellow stars; paper protective covering still attached to top of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Baby angels with pink rose
Greeting card art, two baby angels with pink wings; angels are standing on leaves of a rose bud; one angel is using scissors to trim the edges of the leaves while the other works on the pink rosebud with a spool of pink thread, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains art from various artists, many from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby at Christmas with Santa hat
Oversize, Christmas card art; baby in white wearing Santa Claus hat sitting by Christmas tree with ornaments, blocks, and stuffed animal, watercolors, acrylic, or pastels on board, color
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Baby birthday
Greeting card art, womanly baby dressed in lace and jewelry sitting on cushion talking on phone, "Hum. B'Day" written on bottom, Norcross stamps on back of art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists. Dates range from the 1930's and 1940's, the 1960's through 1980's, and those from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby boy and tiger rug
Greeting card art, red-headed baby lying on tiger rug with bottle and bubbles, "Baby Boy Congrats" written on bottom, Norcross stamp on back of art, along with Tempo Graphic Arts, Inc. sticker, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists. Dates range from the 1930's and 1940's, the 1960's through 1980's, and those from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby boy congrats
Greeting card art, blonde baby and blanket, "Baby Boy Cong" written on bottom, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists. Dates range from the 1930's and 1940's, the 1960's through 1980's, and those from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby boy or girl congrats
Greeting card art, baby covered by blanket reaching for pink and blue checkered teddy bear, frilled pillow in background has same pink and blue checked trim, "Baby Congrats fr. Both" written on bottom, Norcross stamp on back of art, Tempo Graphic Arts, Inc. sticker also on back of art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists. Dates range from the 1930's and 1940's, the 1960's through 1980's, and those from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Baby feeding jellybean to bunny
Greeting card art, Easter card art, baby feeding jellybean on spoon to white bunny, "Juv. Baby 1st East." written on bottom of art, Norcross stamp on back of art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Baby girl congrats
Greeting card art, brown-eyed baby with pink bows at throat and wrists, "Baby Girl Congrats" written on bottom, Norcross stamp on back of art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists. Dates range from the 1930's and 1940's, the 1960's through 1980's, and those from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
