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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Shaggy dog on farm
Oversize, gift wrap design; shaggy dog in various country or farm activities including planting seeds, harvesting crops, raking dirt, catching butterflies, fishing at pond, and feeding chickens, "Rust Gift Wrap Everyday 1980" written at bottom of art, watercolors, acrylic, or pastels on board, color
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Shepherds at nativity
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, Shepherds making their way to nativity scene with large sun-shaped star in sky, Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with 5/21/80 in date catagory; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Snow White and Seven Dwarves
Greeting card art, Friendship humor card, Snow White and seven dwarves, Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with date 10/23/80, 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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Trapeze monkeys
Greeting card art, Two monkeys swinging from trapeze, one female and one male; male monkey is passing orange flower to female; ringmaster looks up from below; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with date 10/20/80; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Valentine's Day space maze
Oversize; Valentine's Day card art; space-themed maze with aliens, space ships, UFO's, robots, and planets; "Val. Juvenile" written at bottom of art; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with date 10/20/80; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Woody the Woodpecker with blank sign
Greeting card art, Woody the Woodpecker cartoon character standing beside red, blue, and yellow paint cans holding blank sign; Norcross Art Specifications stamp on back of art with date 8/12/80; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Boy and girl in church pew
Greeting card art, boy and girl sitting in church pew, reading, as light streams through window; "Religious Cute" written at bottom of art, Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with "79" in date box, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Bunny Valentine
Greeting card art, Valentine's Day card art; Bunny in dress and bonnet standing in doorway of house at base of large tree as smaller male bunny hands her a Valentine heart; possible date of 3/2/79 written at bottom of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Bunny with basket of jelly beans
Oversize, Easter card art, Female bunny with large basket of jelly beans, label at bottom says "Easter- Son & Wife Hum.", watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Champagne and clock
Greeting card art, New Year's card art, bottle of champagne, two glasses, and streamers or ribbons sit in front of clock which is almost at 12:00; Norcross, Inc. stamp at bottom of art, date 6/18/79 on back of art in Norcross Art Specifications sticker; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Father's Valentine's Day from son
Oversize; Valentine's Day card art; paneled scenes of father and son bear, one with father fixing bicycle, one of father reading to son, one of son walking away with money while father holds his empty pockets, final one of dad in heart frame with son gesturing proudly towards him; "Valentine Hum.- Dad" written at bottom of art; back of art has Norcross Art Specifications sticker with "79" written in date section; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Ice skating scene
Greeting card art, Christmas card art; ice skating scene seen through snow covered trees and bushes; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with 79 in date space; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Lion and leopard nephew brithday card
Greeting card art, Nephew, Birthday card art; three-panel art with maned lion, leopard, and Umbrella Thorn-style tree on green background; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with 79 written in date section; first printing of greeting card which has been made art is included in plastic sleeve with art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Lion king and queen
Oversize; Father's Day card art; Cartoon lions, one dressed as king and the other as queen; king sits on throne listening to radio while queen covertly unplugs radio from outlet; "Hum. Father's day Husb." written on bottom of art; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with 79 in date section; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Many congrats
Greeting card art, Congratulations card art, "Bravo, Speech!, Huzzah! Huzzah!, Hear! Hear!, Hip Hip Hooray!, Ole, Wow!, Cheers!" printed in block and cartoon letters in various colors on yellow background; "Studio Congrat." written at bottom of art, along with possible date of 3/23/79, Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with date of 79; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Mouse with ornament
Greeting card art, Christmas card art; mouse with holly and berries by its ear, tail has red ribbon at base, and another red ribbon with Christmas ornament tied to end; "Juvenile- Mouse w/ornament" written on bottom of art; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with date 6/27/79; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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News Bunny Get Well Soon
Oversize, labeled "Hum-Conval" in Art Specifications on back, Bunny with overflowing news stand, speech bubble above bunny's head is empty, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Skeleton hand
Greeting card art, Halloween card art; black background with white skeleton hand; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with date 6/14/79; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Soldier and girl ornaments
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, Soldier ornament hangs on tree beside girl ornament; girl seems to be offering soldier a candy cane; Norcross Art Specifications sticker attached to 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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Stone house in snow
Greeting card art, stone house on snowy hillside with woods behind; Christmas wreath on front door; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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St. Patrick's Day or Birthday card art
Greeting card art, St. Patrick's Day card art; Birthday card art; leprechaun with umbrella looking at sketches of people posted on a tree; Norcross Art Specification sticker on back of art with "79" written in date catagory; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Studio birthday
Greeting card art, Birthday card art, "This Birthday Card Has No Flaws!!" printed in block letters in pink on red background with four drawings of figure in large orange hat; "Bday" written at bottom of art, Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with date of 8/1/79; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Thatched house and row boat
Greeting card art, Saint Patrick's Day card art, thatched roof house with smoking chimney on edge of river or stream, rowboat tied to peg on riverside in foreground, Norcross, Inc. stamp on side of art, date 09/26/79 on back of art in Norcross Art Specifications sticker; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Ticking clock Birthday card
Greeting card art; Birthday card art; grandfather clock chiming with music notes as man and woman dance; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art; also included in folder is prototype of finished card; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Valentine's Day seals
Oversize; Valentine's Day card art; Nine different Valentine scenes, all incorporating hearts in some way; "Val. Book of Seals" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 3/19/79; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with "79" in date section; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
