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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Pink and red bouquet
Greeting card art, bouquet of bright pink and red flowers in vase, possibly poppies, carnations, and chrysanthemums, "wife" written on bottom of art, two lines of instructions taped to 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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Pink flower bouquet
Greeting card art, small bunch of pink flowers, both buds and blooms, "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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Pirate boy guarding chest of hearts
Valentine's Day Card, Boy dressed as pirate with guns and parrot guarding chest full of hearts, "Son Juv. Val." written at bottom, Norcross stamp on back, 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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Plane with boarding passengers
Greeting card art, passengers board an airplane on the runway, baggage in foreground, "Miquon Greet." written on bottom of art, "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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Plane with maps and clouds
Greeting card art, airplane flying above clouds or mountains in front of image of sun or moon made from maps, "Trip" written on bottom of art, along with possible date of 11/18/75, 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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Poinsettia, mistletoe, and orchids
Oversize, Christmas card art, Poinsettias, mistletoe, and orchids, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Poinsettias and holly
Oversize, Christmas card art, poinsettias and holly, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, 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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Poinsettias and mistletoe
Oversize, Christmas card art, Poinsettias and mistletoe in vase, with pinecones and pine boughs, 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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Poppies, pansies, and other flower bouquets
Oversize; Two bouquets of poppies, pansies, and other flowers and greenery; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Poppies, zinnias, and other flowers
Oversize; Flowers, including poppies, daisies, zinnias, and others, with leaves and greenery; "50 Birthday General" written at bottom of art, along with Norcross, Inc. stamp; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Punch bowl with roses and ribbons
Oversize, Christmas card art, punch bowl with roses and ribbons, cane and scythe, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Puppies and mice with musical instruments
Oversize, Birthday for child, Pastel-colored puppies with musical instruments and mice, watercolor, acrylic, 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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Puppy with present conveyor belt
Oversize; Christmas card art; puppy laying on pillow in bed as conveyor belt of Christmas presents goes by; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Purple orchids with white lace hearts
Oversize, Valentine's Day card art, three-part card art; scenes contain purple orchid-type flowers, lacy white hearts, purple heart, and heart-shaped greenery in background; borders of purple hearts and white stylized hearts separate sections; "Property Quality Art Novelty Co. Inc. 787 11th Ave N.Y.C." stamped on art, 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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Pussy willow with kittens
Oversize, Birthday card art, pussywillow branches with pink flowers kittens, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Rabbits with hunting sign
Greeting card art, two rabbits reading sign with bird and rifle on it which says "A Gay Bird's Hunting License Issued to Good Eggs Only", 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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Raccoon with daisy
Greeting card art, Cartoon raccoon holding daisy, "B'day Belated Humor" 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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Realistic holly with berries
Oversize; Christmas card art; extremely realistic depiction of two large sprigs of Holly with red berries; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Red and blue bells
Oversize, Christmas card art, red and blue bells, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, col.
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Red and white carnations
Mother's Day Card art, two carnation flowers, one red and one white, on patterned background with oval cut out, "Mother From Both Mother's 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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Red barn in the fall
Greeting card art, Thanksgiving card art, red barn sitting among trees and grass which have turned colors in the fall, cornstalks and pumpkins sit in foreground, Norcross, Inc. stamp on side of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Red geraniums and lace heart
Oversize, Valentine's Day card art, two-part scene, flower pot of red geraniums in front of red lacy bordered heart; second scene is red geranium in flower pot with sprig of flowers lying by its side, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color. This collection consists of original art work, for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists created in the 1930's and 1940's.
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Robot on planet with rocket
Oversize, Birthday, robot on planet in space with rocket, watercolor, acrylic, 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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Roses and sailboats
Greeting card art, two sail boats in harbor beside dock and building, two red/pink roses in foreground, "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 art from various artists, many from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Saluting sailor boy
Greeting card art, saluting boy in sailor's uniform standing in front of ship's wheel, Norcross stamp on back of art, "Juv. Grandson Birthday" hand-written on back, as well, 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.
