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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September calendar art
Oversize; Calendar art; person kneeling to fill air in tires of school bus which has "Back to School" banner tied to it; "1972 16 Month Calendar Hang Up" and "September" written on bottom of art, along with possible date 10/14/70; Specifications stamp on back of art, but no particular studio name appears; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Blue girl with bird
Greeting card art, blue background with blue-haired girl in blue pants and top with white long-feathered bird perched on her finger; possible date of 8-11-69 written at bottom of art, along with "Gen'l. B'Day"; Norcross stamp on back of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Calendar beach scene Rainbowland Calendar December
Oversize, Calendar art, People at crowded beach, labeled "July" and dated 10/6/69 at bottom, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Couples barbeque Rainbowland Calendar December
Oversize, Calendar art, Couples barbequing in back yard with neighbor spying over fence, labeled "June" and dated 10/6/69 at bottom, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color.
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Girl with guitar and bird
Greeting card art, green background with silver-haired girl in black dress playing guitar as bird sits on guitar neck; possible date of 8-11-69 written at bottom of art, along with "Gen. Friendship"; Norcross stamp on back of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Leprechaun with flute in woods
Oversize; Saint Patrick's Day card art; Leprechaun playing flute and dancing atop tree stump beside overflowing pot of gold as animals watch him; "Novelty Cut Out St. Pat" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 1/31/69; partial Norcross stamp on back of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Three flower girls
Oversize; Valentine's Day card art; three girls dressed resembling flowers, one purple, one blue, and one pink; they stand among flowers and against background of white fence and large red hearts; "Juv. Girl Val." is printed at bottom of art, along with possible date of 1/17/69; Norcross stamps on back of art, along with blue specifications stamp; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Girl at candy shop
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, young girl, with wreath and wrapped packages in her hands, staring into window of candy shop; "Informal Xmas" written at bottom of art, along with possible date 8/28/68; Norcross stamp on back of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Girl mailing Valentine
Greeting card art, Valentine's Day art, young girl in plaid dress putting Valentine in mailbox, kitten plays at her feet, " 'NINA ALBRIGHT Nov 20 1962' on back" in pencil on back of art, art is becoming detached from backing and this writing, along with a large Norcross stamp, can be seen, 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 carrying mail bag of Valentines
Greeting card art, Valentine's Day art, young boy carrying mail bag decorated with heart and full of Valentines, puppy runs along at his feet carrying Valentine in its mouth, "N. ALBRIGHT Oct. 27 1961" written in pencil 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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Holly wreath and holly bell
Oversize, Christmas card art, wreath with holly, bell, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Garden arch
Greeting card art, scene of garden archway and gate, stone path with flowers and trees, "MAR 23 1942" stamped date on back of art, watercolor, pencil or ink, black and white 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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Heart of flowers
Valentine's Day Card, Heart of flowers with border, some flowers have been colored blue, date stamped on back, watercolor or pencil and ink, 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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Hearts with hanging flowers
Valentine's Day Card, Two hearts with hanging flowers and partial scalloped border, date stamped on back, watercolor or pencil and ink, black and white 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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House with trees and flower path
Greeting card art, landscape scene of country house with trees and flower-lined path, "MAR 23 1942" stamped date on back of art, watercolor, pencil or ink, black and white 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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Mailbox and bird with letters
Greeting card art, border of envelopes, mailbox with flowers and bird delivering letter, lane with more flowers leading to house, "May 4 1942" stamped date on back of art, watercolor, pencil or ink, black and white 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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Snow covered church and birch trees
Christmas card art, winter scene with snow covered church and houses, birch trees in foreground, date stamped on back of art, watercolor or pencil and ink, black and white 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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Three planes with pine tree
Greeting card art, three airplanes in upper right corner, pine tree with snow in lower right corner, partial stamp with date 1942 on back of art, watercolor, pencil or ink, black and white 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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War eagle with shield and holly
Oversize, Christmas card art, War eagle with shield and holly, watercolor or pencil or ink, black and white 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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Bells with ribbons
Oversize, Christmas card art, bells with ribbons, pencil or ink and watercolor, black and white
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Birds with nest on flowering branch
Oversize, Bird nest with one parent and three chicks on tree branch with blooming flowers, watercolor or pencil and ink, black and white 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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Candle with holly and poinsettias
Oversize, Christmas card art, Candle with holly and poinsettias, watercolor or pencil and ink, black and white
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Candle with holly and ribbon
Oversize, Christmas card art, Candle with holly and ribbon, watercolor or pencil and ink, black and white
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Corner design with bells, holly, and ribbon
Christmas card art, corner design with bells, holly, and ribbon; date stamped on back of art, watercolor or pencil and ink, black and white 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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Heart-based music notes with flowers
Valentine's Day Card, heart-based music notes and flowers, date stamped on back, watercolor or pencil and ink, black and white 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.
