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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Cardinal in cherry tree
Greeting card art, Red cardinal perched on branch of cherry tree with leaves and cherries; "Signature Note" is written on bottom of art, along with possible date 11/19/75; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Chrysanthemum bouquet
Greeting card art, bouquet of flowers, including chrysanthemums, "Mother" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 6/9/75, 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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Dog leaving hospital
Greeting card art, dog with purse leaving hospital or veterinary with exhausted staff in background, "Conval. Hum. Hosp." written at bottom of art, along with possible date of 2/28/75, 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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Flying biplane with two passengers
Greeting card art, biplane with two passengers flying in clouds, "General Father's Day" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 7/17/75, "Norcross, Inc." stamp on both front and 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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Mouse with pink bow and heart
Greeting card art, Valentine's Day card art, mouse with pink bow around its neck holding red heart; "Informal Val." written at bottom of art, along with possible date of 2.10.75; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Painter and cat
Greeting card art, cartoon artist painting cartoon cat which is standing on stool, painting of cat looks realistic; "Informal Val." written on bottom of art, along with possible date 1.14.75; Norcross, Inc. stamp on side 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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Teenage daughter Christmas
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, young woman in sweater, scarf, and boots carrying a poinsettia plant, wreath, and pine bough garland, "Teenage Daughter" printed at bottom of art, along with possible date 5/7/75; "Norcross, Inc." stamp on front right side of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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The Growing Years calendar portrait
Oversize, Calendar card art; portrait of young girl with pigtails tied with ribbons, "The Growing Years Calendar May-June" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 11/14/75; Norcross, Inc. stamps on front of art, as well; watercolors, acryilc, or pastels on board, color
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Young black man graduation
Greeting card art, Graduation card art, red brick University or College in foreground, young black man in graduation cap and gown in background, "Young Man (Black)" printed at bottom of art, along with possible date 4/25/75; "Norcross, Inc." stamp can be barely detected on front right side of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Young girl with loaves of bread
Greeting card art, Birthday card art, young girl holdng tray with three loaves of bread as cat swats at the bottome of her dress and apron; old cast iron wood-burning stove in background; "Grandaughter B'Day" written at bottom of art, along with possible date of 3/13/75; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Anniversary Wife receiving gifts
Oversize, labeled "Anniv. Wife" at bottom on front, Cartoon couple with wife receiving gifts from husband as sink clogs, wallet breaks, and bank objects, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Baby bear and skunk
Greeting card art, Birthday card art; young bear and skunk in grass with flowers and bushes in background; possible date 10.28.74 written at bottom of art, along with "Inf. B'day"; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Christmas tree by fire with rocking chair
Greeting card art, Christmas card art & card, Decorated Christmas tree with wrapped presents sitting by fireplace and rocking chair, "Mother & Dad" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 8.23.74; prototype of finished card included, along with original inside art of a pile of presents with same possible date written at bottom of art, all three pieces are kept together in plastic sleeve, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Dog raising money for birthday
Oversize, labeled "Birthday Humorous" at bottom on front, shabbily-dressed cartoon dog in various scenes raising money, watercolor, acrylic or pastels, color.
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Eccentric Happy Birthday
Greeting card art, person with top hat, tattoo, cigar, and hotdog riding unicycle, tag hanging from his tie says "Happy Birthday", "Studio B'Day" written at bottom of art, along with possible date of 3/29/74 written 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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Grandmother cat with grandchild kitten
Oversize; three-part scene of Grandmother cat and grandchild kitten picking out book from shelf, reading it together, and then Grandmother cat putting grandchild kitten to bed; "Grandma from child" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 4/1/74; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Halloween line up
Oversize; Halloween card art; line-up of different traditional Halloween figures: Jack o lantern-headed man, vampire, witch, devil, Frankenstein's monster, ghost, and alien-type figure on unicycle; black cat also sits beside figures; "Secret Pal Hum Halloween" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 8.28.74; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Husband and wife in traffic jam
Oversize, "Wedding Anniversary Husband Humorous" written on bottom on front of art; Cartoon husband and wife in car in traffic jam possibly having sex (woman's leg is hanging out of car window), watercolor or pastels, color
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Reading girl with cat curled at her feet
Oversize; Christmas card art; small girl sitting in chair reading with cat curled up at her feet and wreath hanging on wall beside her; possible date 8.28.74 written at bottom of art; Specifications stamp on back of art, but no particular studio name appears; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Rocket take off
Oversize, Birthday card art; rocket in blast-off with various arms and legs coming out of smoke/exhaust; "B'day Hum" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 3/14/74; clear plastic protective cover still attached to art; watercolors, acrylic, or pastels on board, color
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Sister tulip bouquet
Greeting card art, bouquet of tulips and smaller flowers and leaves, possible date of 01/23/74 written at bottom of art, along with the word "sister", "Tempo Graphic Arts, Inc." sticker 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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Baseball father with two boys
Oversize; Father figure with baseball and glove looking on as two young boys, one with a bat, and one with a catcher's chest pad and glove, talk with eachother; possible date of 4/23/73 written at bottom of art, as well as "Cat: Studio Dad F.D."; back of art has art specifications stamp with no company name, but contains note: "Change title to: 'A Father's Day Cartoon Book for Dad' "; clear plastic art cover is taped over front of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Bear flying open cockpit plane
Greeting card art, Birthday card art, cartoon bear flying in open cockpit plane, "B'day Juv. Boy" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 10/12/73, Art Specifications stamp on back of art, but no company listed, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Boy looking into toy shop
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, boy wearing top hat looks into windo of toy shop, small dog looks in the window as well and two red birds are perched on roof; possible date of 10/12/73 on bottom of art; back of art has sticker which says "p1) 'Lavish profusion is in the shops...' Charles Dickens p3) Hope you have a merry, merry Christmas." Card which was made from art is also included in plastic sleeve; card was produced by Norcross and is part of "Little Dickens" series, plastic art overlay with design sticker has become detached from art but is included in plastic sleeve with art and finished card, 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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Bright birthday animals
Oversize; Birthday card art; brightly colored clothed animals dancing; animals include elephant, mouse, panda bear, rabbit, lion, and pig; "B'Day 6 yrs Gen." written at bottom of art; back of art has art specifications stamp but no company name; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
