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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Cats out on the town
Oversize, "Hum. Wedd. Anniv." written on bottom on front of art; Husband and wife cartoon cats depicted in three scenes, one walking along street, one riding in carriage, one at door at the end of the evening, watercolor or pastels, color
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Cat with black boots
Greeting card art, winking cat standing with feet in long black high heeled boots, "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 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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Cat with pink carnation
Mother's Day Card art, white cat with glasses and pink carnation looking at card with same image, "Grandmtr. Frm. Chd. M.D." written on bottom, 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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Centerfold man
Greeting card art, cartoon naked man lounging on pillows with "A Centerfold Man!" drawn in block lettering above man and "Happy Birthday" drawn underneath in same style, "Studio B'day" written on edge, 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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Chef with Birthday cake
Oversize, Happy Birthday card art; two-sided design of chef dressed in white uniform and baker's cap carrying a pink cake with candles and "Happy Birthday" written in frosting on the side; second side shows baker's back side; watercolors, acrylic, or pastels on board, color.
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Chicken family and Easter eggs
Oversize; Easter card art; "mother" and "father" chicken look on as a baby chick hatches from an egg decorated like an Easter egg; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Child angels dropping stars
Greeting card art, young boy and girl angels in basket with parachute dropping stars onto snow covered landscape below; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Children and animals on way to manger
Oversize, Christmas card art, Angels, Christmas tree, animals and children on their way to manger in background, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color 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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Children in winter scenes
Oversize; Christmas card art; scenes of small children in winter activities including sledding, building a snowman, and ice skaing; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Children peeking around door
Greeting card art, two young children, one boy and one girl with bouquet of flowers, peeking around a door, 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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Children with tree and birds
Greeting card art, group of children or angels playing in the snow under a bare tree which has many birds in its branches; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Christmas advent card
Oversize; Christmas card art; large, snowy nativity scene with angels, animals, and people bringing gifts; "1.00 Advent Card" written on back of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Christmas card advertisement
Oversize, Christmas card art, Palette Christmas Card advertisement, winter scene with horses, carriage, and people, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Christmas dogs
Oversize; Christmas card art; various dog breeds in Santa hats with bells on the tip and red bow collars; dog breeds include Dachshund, St. Bernard, Collie, Yorkshire Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Boston Terrier or French Bulldog, long hair Chihuahua, Maltese, Basset Hound, and Old English Sheep Dog; "Property of Norcross, Inc." stamped on back of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Christmas ducklings
Oversize; Christmas card art; Three ducklings dressed in winter hats carrying Christmas tree, present, and wreath; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Christmas gift wrap Santa and reindeer
Oversize; Christmas card art; Gift wrap design; two-part scene of Santa Claus and reindeer coming and going; in top scene, Santa and reindeer are on rooftop of house with candles in windows; in bottom scene, Santa and reindeer are flying away over church and house tops; blue background with snow for both scenes; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Christmas Greetings
Greeting card art, two angels, one with a horn, sitting on sliver of moon, stars in background spell out "Christmas Greetings!"; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Christmas House Decorations
Oversize; Christmas card art; Santa Claus holding sack of toys with small elf by his side; plastic overlay with price/symbol/design still attached to art; this art is the first page of a "press-out designs" book entitled "Christmas Book of House Decorations" produced by Norcross and also included in the scanned image; the other designs in the book are also located in the collection; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Christmas mice
Greeting card art, Christmas card art; two mice sit in front of fire in teapot; mice wear red and green sweaters, stockings hang above the fire, a small decorated Christmas tree sits to one side; watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color
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Christmas table scene
Oversize; Christmas card art; Christmas table scene with jug of poinsettias, Christmas cookies, basket of cranberries, bowl of popcorn, basket of holly, berries, and greenery, basket of apples, and two tea cups; "Mother Xmas" and "Daughter and Family Xmas" written on bottom of art; watercolor, acrylic, or pastels; color
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Christmas town scenes
Oversize, Christmas card art, Four-panels of Victorian town scenes, pen and ink with watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color 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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Christmas train coin card
Oversize, "Juv. Coin Card Xmas" written at bottom on front, Cartoon Santa Claus on train labeled "North Pole Express" pulling car labeled "Bank Car" and another filled with toys, watercolor or pastels, color
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Christmas tree with background town
Christmas card art, decorated Christmas tree in foreground with other decorated trees and houses and church in background, 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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Christmas tree with presents
Oversize, Christmas card art, Christmas tree with presents in front of winter window, watercolor, acrylic, or pastels, color
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Christmas visitors
Oversize, Christmas card art, Snow scenes with carolers, Christmas trees, toy shop, and Christmas greenery vendor, "Christmas visitors" written on back in pencil, watercolor, pastels, or acrylic, color 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.
