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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Baby on blanket in field with rabbits and birds
Oversize; Easter card art; baby in rabbit outfit playing on blanket as rabbits, chicks, and birds look on; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Baby's first Christmas Santa with sleigh
Oversize; Baby's first Christmas or Juvenile General Christmas card art; Santa Claus with gift sack next to one small reindeer tied to sleigh full ow toys and greenery; "Christmas- Juvenile General" written on bottom of art, along with barely visible Norcross, Inc. stamp; Art Specifications stamp on back of art with no company name; "Baby's First Christmas" written on back of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Baby under Christmas tree
Oversize, Christmas card art, baby in red pajamas under Christmas tree with teddy bear and ornament, baby's first Christmas, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Baby with Beagle puppy
Oversize, Greeting card art, baby with Beagle puppy, baby's first birthday, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Bah Humbug
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, small wooden house with two Dickensian children on roof; boy is attempting to hand package to angry looking dog wearing top hat; art had been taped to board, but has been removed; red paper frame has been glued on top of art; back of board has sticker which says "pg. 1 'God Bless us every one1' CHARLES DICKENS pg. 3 Happiness at Christmas and always.", but back of art has sticker which says "p1) Bah, Humbug! p3) Merry Christmas Happy New Year". Card which was made from art is also included in plastic sleeve, wording on card is that which is on back of original art; card was produced by Norcross and is part of "Little Dickens" series, 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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Ballerina with bunny
Greeting card art, Young girl in pink ballerina tutu and shoes dancing with bunny in yellow tutu and shoes, 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 art from various artists, many from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Barn and house landscape with geese
Oversize; house and barn made of stone in landscape scene with three white geese walking on dirt road; "England" written on bottom front of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Baseball boy catching heart
Valentine's Day Card, boy in baseball uniform with glove catching a heart, 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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Bells with lace background
Oversize, Christmas card art, bells with lace background, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Bells with ribbon and flowers
Oversize, Christmas card art, bells with ribbon and flowers, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Birdbath with birds and tulips
Valentine's Day Card, birdbath with birds and tulips; lace frame with hearts and flowers, 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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Birds in the snow
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, birds perch in snow covered tree and peck at snow covered ground; birds include cardinals, a sparrow, and possibly a chickadee; "Christmas solid pack" written on bottom 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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Birthday cowboy cartoon
Oversize, "Happy Birthday" and "Howdy Partner", Cartoon cowboy on horseback, lassoing calf, walking through a town with cork guns drawn, and sitting by campfire with guitar singing, watercolor or pastels, color
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Birthday train with stuffed animals
Oversize, Birthday card art; train with young boy and girl acting as conductors, pulling two passenger cars full of stuffed animals wearing party hats and holding balloons, "2 Year Old Basic Art" written on bottom front of art; watercolors, acrylic, or pastels on board, color
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Birthday wishes girl
Oversize, "B'day Cute" written on bottom on front of art; young girl depicted in 5 scenes with Birthday sayings= "For you, 'cause you're special", Aren't Birthdays nice!", "Picked it just for you!", "A bunch of Birthday wishes", and "Hope you like it!", watercolor or pastels, color
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Birth of Venus girl
Greeting card art, Birthday card art, young girl standing on clam shell in a play on Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" painting; "Informal Birthday" written on bottom of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Black Cocker Spaniel in the wind
Greeting card art, black Cocker Spaniel dog leaning out of car window in the wind, possibly a Father's Day card, as "Gen. F. D." appears to be 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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Black Cocker Spaniel puppies
Greeting card art, two black Cocker Spaniel puppies, one with a red ribbon and one with a green ribbon, sitting in the snow, 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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Black Cocker Spaniel with flowers
Oversize; small, black Cocker Spaniel holding basket with flowers by the ribbons of the basket; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Black woman celebrating engagement
Greeting card art, young black woman looking at ring with roses, "Engage. Congrats." written on bottom of art, along with possible date of 9/20/68, "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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Blue and purple bouquet
Greeting card art, bouquet of blue, purple, and white flowers with yellow and pink butterflies, large "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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Bowling elephant
Greeting card art, elephant throwing bowling ball wearing red sweater and checkered hat, "GRNDPA FR. CHLD" written on bottom of art, 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 art from various artists, many from unknown dates. The card company is identified in some cases.
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Boxer in hammock
Greeting card art, boxer-type dog lying in hammock, "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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Boxing kangaroos
Greeting card art, Mature kangaroo teaching young kangaroo how to box, both have on sweaters and boxing gloves, "B'day Grandpa Fr. Child" written on back of art in "Art Specifications" sticker, which also says "Property of Norcross" at bottom, 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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Boy and dog on bicycle in rain
Greeting card art, boy riding bicycle with small dog in basket, boy is wearing yellow rain jacket and dog is covered by rain hat, 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.
