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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Man and woman at diner
Oversize, labeled as "studio anniversary" card, Man and woman at diner with cook, food, and juke box; watercolor, acryilc, or pastels, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains holiday and non-holiday art by unknown artists at unknown dates. The card company is unidentified in most cases.
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Man and woman Christmas shopping
Christmas card art, town scene with man carrying wrapped presents following woman, people and town in background are line drawings and uncolored, while man and woman in foreground are more detailed, 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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Man and woman in period dress
Valentine's Day Card, Man and woman in medieval or Shakespearean dress, 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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Man making holly wreaths
Christmas card art, Old man, possibly Santa Claus, making holly wreaths as dog, cat, and bird watch him, faded Norcross stamp on back of art, possible date 10/16/70 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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Man with newspaper on column
Greeting card art, man sitting atop column reading newspaper, 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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Man with televisions
Oversize, "humor husband", man watching multiple tv's while a woman brings another into the room, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Menorah with lit candles
Hanukkah/Chanukah card art, menorah with nine burning candles and star of David, no writing on front or 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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Merry Christmas in figures and symbols
Oversize, Christmas card art, Merry Christmas spelled with people and Christmas symbols, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color This collection consists of original art work for greeting card companies. This box contains Christmas art from the 1930's-1940's, 1960's-1980's, and art produced at unknown dates. No artists are known. The card company is unidentified in most cases.
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Merry Christmas with poinsettias
Oversize, Christmas card art, Merry Christmas with poinsettias, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Mice and train engine
Greeting card art, Boys Birthday Card, red and gold train engine on train track with mice conductors and female mouse with child waving as it passes by, "B'day Boy Juvenile" written on bottom of art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Miss America baby girl
Greeting card art, baby wearing "Miss America" sash and holding flowers standing on podium and clapping toys below her, 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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Monkey painting hearts on giraffe
Valentine's Day Card, labeled "Inf. Val." at bottom, Norcross stamp on back of art, monkey on back of giraffe painting heart spots, 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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Mothers day baskets of flowers
Greeting card art, Mother's Day card art; object ID refers to two original art works; one work is of a hanging basket of flowers and greenery, the other is of a stationary basket with tall handle full of flowers and greenery; most of the flowers appear to be carnations; Norcross, Inc. stamp is present on both pieces of art; Greeting card which has been made from artwork is also included, along with both pieces of art, in plastic sleeve; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Mouse dragging pine tree
Christmas card art, mouse dragging pine tree through snow with forrest scene behind it, Norcross stamp on back of art, possible date 9/25/69 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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My Valentine?
Oversize, Valentine's Day card art, Two-scene card art; First scene has young girl in heart-patterned dress holding heart that says "My Valentine?", second scene shows same girl with boy in suit sitting bench and holding hands, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color. This collection consists of original art work, for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists created during the 1930's and 1940's.
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Native American boy and girl Valentine
Valentine's Day Card, Native American boy and girl sitting on totem poles with hearts, 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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New Year's with punchbowl and streamers
New Year's Day Card, punch bowl with party streamers and fruit, watercolor or pastels, 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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Panda with Birthday cake
Greeting card art, cartoon panda bear with tiered birthday cake with candles, "B'day" written on bottom, "Studio B'day" and "MConklin 12/13/77" written 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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Party invitation
Greeting card art, party invitation, graffiti-style writing on brick-like background, phrases such as "See You!", "Please come!" "Save this date" and "Good Time", possible date of 2/4/72 written on bottom 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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Pastel landscape
Oversize; pastel colored landscape scene with flowers, flowering trees, and house visible through field of flowers; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Penguins in tuxedos
Greeting card art, Two black and white penguins with black top hats and white spats on their feet, as well as black bow ties and buttons on their chests; one penguin holds a cane; an orange border surrounds penguins and different colored streamers hang from the top of border; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Person with video camera
Greeting card art, side-view illustration of long-haired person holding the power cord of a video camera which sits on top of thier head, "Studio B'day" 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.
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Pilgrim boy with harvest basket
Thanksgiving card art, young boy dressed as pilgrim carrying basket with corn, pumpkins, and squash, 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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Pillar and writing implements
Greeting card art, textbook art; pillar on left hand side of art, possibly ancient Roman-style writing implements with ink, stylus, bowl of water, stone, and knife; "World Book Company" stamped at side of art; "Dawson: et al: Language for Daily Use- Grade 5 Fourth Edition" and "Illustration by Walter Beach Humphrey" written on back of art with "World Book Company Yonkers-on-Hudson New York" stamp; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Pink and red bouquet
Greeting card art, glass bowl with banana split ice cream sundae and toppings, 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.
