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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Christmas reading in library
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, boy wearing top hat sits on stool reading a book, nearby is large globe with small dog sitting on top, also reading a book, a cat sits on the floor, behind boy are shelves of books and ladder; possible date of 10/12/73 on bottom of art; red paper border has been attached to art, and back of art has small piece of paper taped to it which says "p.1) These are the words of Christmas... p3) Love, Hope, Peace and Joy" Card which was made from art is also included in plastic sleeve; 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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Dragon Valentine
Greeting card art, Valentine's Day card art; red and pink dragon holding wooden sign with "I Luv You" burned into it; "Grandpa for Child/General Juvenile" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 10/18/73; second possible date 7-13-73 written on back of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Dress up girl
Greeting card art, little girl in what looks like an attic playing dress-up, "B'DAY" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 8/21/73, "Norcross Inc." stamp at 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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Elf lighting lamp
Greeting card art, Christmas card art; Christmas elf using long pole to light candle in street lamp; Norcross, Inc. stamp at bottom of art, along with possible date 7/26/73; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Fairy with flower trumpet
Greeting card art, fairy or elf sitting on mushroom playing a flower trumpet with butterfly and bug listen, "Inf. B'Day" written at bottom of art, along with possible date of 3/8/73 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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Farm boy Valentine
Oversize; Valentine's Day card art; various scenes of young man growing heart-ended vegetables, gathering eggs, acting a scare crow, making repairs and doing chores, and lastly, winning a first place ribbon; "Hum. Val Son" written on bottom of art, along with possible date 1/19/73; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Humorous Mother Valentine scenes
Oversize; Valentine's Day card art; household scenes with mother and son, including painting a room, sewing supplies, a piggy bank and checkbook, and watering flowers; "Mom Hum Val" written on bottom front of art, along with possible date 1/15/73; Art Specifications stamp on back of art, but no company is listed; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Man and boy in sleigh
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, boy wearing top hat sits with older top-hatted man in sleigh drawn by horse with candy cane in its mouth; the man holds a cup in his hand and a dog peeks over the boy's top hat, pine tree sticks out from sleigh; possible date of 10/12/73 on bottom of art; back of art has Norcross Art Specifications sticker; Card which was made from art is also included in plastic sleeve; 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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Newlyweds exiting country church
Oversize, Wedding Congratulations card art; panoramic scene of church with exiting newly wed couple and bridesmaids; flowers and butterflies in the foreground; possible date 8/13/73 written on front of art, and second possible date 3/15/73 written on back of art, watercolors, acrylic, or pastels on board, color.
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Pink folk style Valentine's card
Greeting card art, Mother & Dad Valentine card art & card, pink folk-style design with hearts and flowers on woodgrain background, "Mother & Dad fr Both" written at bottom of art, as well as possible date 10/15/73, prototype of finished card included in plastic sleeve with original art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Prayer before dinner
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, two children at dinner table praying before they eat, dog with halo also sits at table while cat looks on from floor and bird sleeps in cage; possible date of 10/12/73 on bottom of art; back of art has sticker which says "p1) 'God bless us every one!' Charles Dickens p3) Happiness at Christmas and always." 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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Royal animals coin card
Oversize; Valentine's Day card; king and queen lions with rabbit assistand and pig trumpeter, all dressed in royalty-style garments adorned with hearts; "Juv. Val. coin card" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 11/27/73; back of art has artists name, date of 6/26/73 and description of card; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Congratulations New Grandchild
Oversize, Congratulations new grandchild card, portrait of blue-eyed, blonde haired baby; "Con. New Grand child" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 1/10/72; watercolors, acrylic, or pastels on board, color
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Girl giving duck a bath
Oversize; young girl in purple striped dress drying off yellow duck which she has just removed from wooden tub full of water, girl is sitting in grass and blue flowers; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art with 72 in date section; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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How the Easter Bunny got his tail
Greeting card art, Easter card art; "How the Easter Bunny got his Tail" pamphlet book with original art work; Cover art is white Easter Bunny sitting on top of decorated egg with flowers and chicken; Cover art has possible date of 3/19/71 written on bottom, as well as Norcross stamp on back of art; Cover art is located in Box 14 of collection, remainder of booklet art is located in Box 8, Folder 18; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Oversize,sister birthday card , watercolors or pastels on board
Oversize, Birthday card art; revealingly dressed girl checking her makeup in front of three ogling men in different style clothes; far panel has neon colored flowers and border on yellow background; "Hum Studio B'Day" written on bottom front of art, along with possible date 1/26/72; art specifications stamp on back of art, but no studio name; "Hum Sister B'day" written in classification catagory; watercolors, acrylic, or pastels on board, color.
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Polar bear with snow shovel
Greeting card art, Christmas card art; cartoon polar bear with boots, jacket, scarf, and hat holding snow shovel; second piece is also included which is same image, but only pencil or pen outline, no color, and "For my FRIEND at Christmas" printed on bear's hat; "Uncle fr Child Xmas" and "Daddy fr. Child" written on bottom of colored art, as well as possible date 10/4/72; plastic sheet with design and price sticker still attached to colored art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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What's For Supper?
Oversize, labeled "Studio Wife M.D." at bottom on front, cartoon husband and wife, "To My Wife on Mother's Day, Just 3 Little Words--- What's For Supper?", watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Girl on bench with dog
Greeting card art, young girl with pigtails sits on bench with her arm around a dog, surroundded by flowers with house visible in the distance, "Inf Friendship" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 6/11/71, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Santa Claus in green striped armchair
Greeting card art, Christmas card art & card, Santa Claus sitting in green striped armchair with cup of cocoa and jack in the box, "Grandpa Fr. Child, Daddy Fr. Child" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 9/29/71; finished card included with art, but is for "Uncle" not father or grandfather, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Soldiers & friendship
Greeting card art, Soldiers & friendship, possible date 5/24/71 written at bottom of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Wonderful Person Birthday
Greeting card art, cartoon person standing atop a pedestal wearing a Birthday cake as a hat, on the column of the pedestal is a badge which says "Wonderful Person Award", possible date of 11/19/71 written at 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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Cartoon Pirate Ship
Oversize, labeled "Humor. Fr. All Conval." at bottom on front, Cartoon pirate ship on the ocean with children pirates, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Dinosaur and caveman
Oversize; Belated Birthday card art; cartoon green dragon/dinosaur with small caveman sitting on its tail holding a candle; possible date 1/5/70 written on bottom front of art, along with "B'Day Humor Belated"; Norcross stamp on back of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Pop with bear family
Oversize; Father's Day card art; "Pop" in large print, small "child" bear in first "p" brings newspaper and slippers, "father" bear sitting in "o", relaxing, while "mother" bear in last "p" brings steaming food on a tray; burlap of father bear's pants, and lace on mother bear's skirt have been attached seperately, not drawn; "Hum Pop Fathers Day" written at bottom of art, along with possible date of 4-27-70; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
