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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Boy and girl at punch bowl
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, boy and girl stand at punch bowl with cups in hand, dog sits at their feet with punch ladle in its mouth; the two figures are overlooked by two sepia-toned portraits on the wall; portraits and table are decorated with greenery, holly, and berries; paper has been taped to back of art which says "p1) 'With a Wassailing Bowl we'll drink to thee...' Charles Dickens p3) Here's to a very 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, 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 girl graduation
Greeting card art, Graduation card art, young boy and girl, both wearing gowns and mortar boards, standing next to large globe; "Informal Grad" written at bottom of art; Norcross stamp on back of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Boy and Girl with My Birthday Book
Oversize; Boy and girl sitting on bench next to cat and dog sharing a book with "My Birthday Book" on the cover; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Boy and girl with tandem bicycle
Oversize, Valentine's Day card art; two-part scene, first contains young girl in dress and Breton style hat riding along on a tandem bicycle; second scene shows girl riding tandem bicycle with young boy in red cap; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color. This collection consists of original art work, for greeting card companies. This box contains those by unknown artists created during the 1930's and 1940's.
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Boy carving wood with leprechaun
St. Patrick's Day Card, young boy carving wood with leprechaun, 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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Boy dressing for Easter
Easter Card art, Boy holding tulip and getting ready in front of dresser and mirror, bowl of Easter eggs and three chicks on dresser, 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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Boy feeding deer
Greeting card art, young boy in snow feeding apple to deer with bells on a ribbon around its neck, "Xmas Juv. Boy" written on bottom of art, possible date of '79 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 fishing with ducklings
Oversize; Valentine's Day card art; Young boy at waterside fishing with heart as "bait"; dragonflies fly around cattails and three ducklings swim in the water; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Boy on fire engine with animals
Oversize; Easter card art; Young boy dressed as fireman riding on yellow fire truck with baby chicks, bunnies, and bucket of Easter eggs; "Juv. Grandson" written at bottom of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Boy sledding with Cocker Spaniel
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, young boy in matching knitted sweater and hat sledding with black Cocker Spaniel type dog, "Cat. Juv. Boy- XMas" written on bottom of art, Norcross stamp on back of art, along with Art Specifications stamp, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Boy taking picture of dog
Greeting card art, young boy using box-style camera to take picutre of dog holding flower, 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 with duckling
Greeting card art, Easter card art, Young boy holding baby duckling, "Son Preteen Easter" written on bottom of art, finished card is included in plastic sleeve with original art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Boy with Valentine's Day cards
Valentine's Day Card, boy pondering over display of Valentine's cards, 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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Boy with violin and bow
Greeting card art, Birthday card art, young boy, wearing a black suit, standing beside chair, holding violin in one hand and bow in the other; "Informal B'Day" written on bottom of art; Norcross stamp on back of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Bridal shower
Oversize; three girls in dresses with matching umbrellas standing in rain as presents and upturned umbrella containing presents blow by; "Bridal Shower" written on bottom of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Brown spotted dog with yellow bird
Oversize; brown spotted dog with key or keys in various activities with small yellow bird; activities include singing, wearing hats, walking in parade, taking a bath, and napping; "England" written on bottom front of artwork; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Bunny and carrot
Greeting card art, bunny and carrot with face walking and holding hands, 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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Bunny and girl with tulip
Greeting card art, Easter card art, small girl in bunny ears cutting stem of growing tulip with flower; girl is helped by a brown bunny and dogwood-like flowers are in upper left and middle right of art; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Bunny, duckling, and chick
Oversize; Easter card art; Bunny, wearing bonnet and holding Easter basket; duckling, wearing bonnet holding tulip; and baby chick hatching from pink egg; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Bunny Santa and woodland animals
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, bunny dressed in Santa hat and jacket taking lists from line of woodland creatures including a mouse, penguin, raccoon, squirrel, skunk, deer, cardinal, and a quail; Norcross Art Specifications sticker on back of art, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Camera, radio, and daisies
Greeting card art, still life scene with bags, camera, binoculars, radio, papers, and daisies, "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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Candle and greenery
Oversize, Christmas card art, candle and greenery, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, col.
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Candle, Poinsettia, and Holly
Oversize, Christmas card art,Candle, Poinsettia, and Holly with blue corner decoration, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Carnation with wheat stalks
Greeting card art, single red carnation flower with three stalks of wheat, "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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Caroling children
Greeting card art, Christmas card art, two festively-dressed children holding candles, possibly caroling, 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.
