1940s Inky ~ Irresistible Norcross Kitten

  I found this adorable matchbook 

promotional for "INKY" 

 greeting cards made by 

NORCROSS INC. New York

1940s Inky matchbook cover

"INKY" 

was trademarked by Norcross 1947

for "Goods & Services: Greeting Cards, 

Printed Greeting Folders, Calendars,

 Printed decorative Tags, and printed seals"

source: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office 

 *******

Daily Boston Globe - Jun 23, 1948

"... like KITTENS INKY is the new irresistible

 black kitten on NORCROSS cards 

 America's Best-loved Greeting Cards

NORCROSS INC."

This IRRESISTIBLE NORCROSS KITTEN is YOURS

Chicago Tribune - Aug 24, 1948

"SOFT as velvet, INKY is the cutest kitten that ever 

got milk in his whiskers ... a new series of 

GREETING CARDS designed by NORCROSS."

Daily Boston Globe - Sep 1, 1948

"...  Have you seen INKY 's the irresistible black kitten on

 NORCROSS greeting cards 

America's Best-loved Greeting Cards NORCROSS ..."

 

NORCROSS, INC. CORPORATION 
NEW YORK 244 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK NEW YORK
https://www.bonanza.com/booths/vintagerecycling

selling Valentines in 1942

found this article, from 1942, 

addressed to greeting card dealers 

from Rust Craft cards and as the heart says it's

 "TRIED and TRUE TIPS

 to INCREASE your 

VALENTINE CARD SALES"

the greeting card industry worked to teach the public the 

etiquette of properly exchanging cards. 

" Be sure to use rack signs to attract 

your customers' attention to the

 fact that these are Valentine cards,

 or some of them may take it for

 granted that all cards on 

display are Everydays. 

This sounds like superfluous advise,

 but there are 

many people who are not 'CARD WISE' "

1942 ad for store or window banner
 (you can see one hanging in the window display photo, below) 

"When Sweetheart, Wife or

 Husband Valentines 

are being bought, 

suggest that a

 humorous one, 

as well as a serious one,

 be sent"

"A great many dealers do not separate 

Humorous and General Valentines

 but mix them in together 

and claim greater sales."

"Put 'em in the window to get results."

"Show unusual titles in your window display"
"Special titles, more than any others should be displayed in your window as near the front as possible,
for regular merchandise sells of its own accord, but special titles are oftimes unknown.  If correctly displayed, you will sell more."

Emphasize in every way possible

 the growth in popularity of Valentines

 and the fact that it is

 a day for Sweethearts 

and

 for 'joshing' our friends.

The general use of Valentines

 have grown steadily, 

and the increase in the sale 

of higher priced cards 

is very noticeable."

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Victorian New Year - H.M. Crider

A Joyful New Year 

 do you have your Easter card order ready?!

this great little New Year's Victorian

 trade card wishes to remind

 shopkeepers, Sunday school teachers,

 and others to do so!

Easter Cards. By Mail

50 Cards were sold per each box; the card advises,

 "If you cannot use the 50 cards, you can club with two or three others who may want a supply of cards.  

The offer is liberal and your order should be given as early as possible."

cards were available in multiple formats, fringed and not, booklet or flats and with a choice of messages, including: blank, Scripture, Day School, or Christmas.

 The back of another trade card tells more,

 "Having completed my arrangements to manufacture cards in immense quantities, at the lowest rates, you will find it to your advantage to always deal with H.M. Crider....."  

Henry M. Crider 

born 1839 in Pennsylvania.

 There are many words to describe H.M. Crider including:  poet, essayist, minister (licensed to preach in 1861), author, teacher, Cottage Hill College, Penn. faculty member,  publisher, bookseller, stationer, newspaper founder and editor, inventor, businessman,  husband and father.
He really lead such an interesting life, in such a fascinating time period~would make a great movie!

The Crider Brothers were publishers, booksellers and stationers during the Victorian era, in York, Pennsylvania. They became known for their marriage booklets and certificates for which they gained many copyrights and sold world wide, as well as, photographic memorial certificates, scripture cards, silk fringed greeting cards and fringed booklets, books and much more.

1866 H.M. Crider "originated and published the

 "photograph marriage certificate"

 which he and his brother eventually produced in several varieties including "Orange Blossom", "Rose" , the "Oak and Vine" and "Cedar and Vine"  selling nearly 2 MILLION by 1885!

you can see a trade card for the marriage certificates in the Philadelphia Library digital archives  HERE (check out the picture on the left side/click to enlarge) 

Patents were attained for the marriage certificates which featured cut windows for photos of the bride and groom and sometimes even the minister.

Henry also patented a FRUIT PICKER! you can read about that on UniversalYork HERE

 H.M. Crider wrote "Pedagogics" in 1866 which was sterotyped by L. Johnson & Company, Philadelphia and printed by Sherman & Co.

An interesting little book in which HM talks to teachers about the teaching profession in "olden times". These are teachers who taught in log cabins and disciplined their students with hickory switches! Henry himself began teaching at age 16 in rural Pennsylvania and at one point ran a night college for men through Cottage Hill College. 

you can read and/or listen to his book,

 PEDAGOGICS for free on archive.org HERE

     Henry M. Crider lived until 1903. 

Hope you are all enjoying the New Year! 

My friend Mary has been working hard on a new blog sharing her wonderful collection!

 check it out HERE >> NOSTALGIC GREETINGS

http://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagerecycling
sources:

Biographical History of York County, Pennsylvania 1885;  edited by John Gibson 

various trade cards and advertisements 
archive.org

1938 Reg'lar Fellers

1938

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1943 a Day in a Greeting Card Store

Matlack's Greeting Cards~ Concourse of the 69th St.Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A DAY IN A GREETING CARD STORE 1943

                                               I like the friendly people 

who come calling at our store,

most faces are familiar too,

 for they've been here before.

The Bonnie Brae Gift Shop, Chicago Ill. ~storefront

The morning now, for instance, 

first thing came Mrs. Brown

To get a little "Miss You " card

 for a friend who's out of town.

a peek inside the Bonnie Brae shows their newly installed fixtures

An then in came a stranger, 

and I could quickly see

From the way he looked so flustered,

 he needed help from me~

Catholic Gift Shop Minneapolis, Minnesota ~"Incidentally, many cards are sold from mounts  The special display rack is just at the left of the Star Spangled Banner.  Sales have increased steadily since the move was made and a radio program called 'The Queen's Hour,' intended to enlighten the public regarding Catholicism, is bringing in returns."

"I want a Special  card" he smiled

 "For a Special Girl I know" ~

And I knew he meant his Sweetheart, 

                                           so I pointed to the row.                                                   

Norris Square Gift Shoppe, Philadelphia Pennsylvania

While he was reading verses, 

along came pretty Sue~

"I need a card for Joe, " she said, 

" for Jim and Tommy,too  ...

For Gosh! The way they're fighting, 

it's the least that I can do!"

Jackson Jewelry Store, Rochester, New York (Mr. Jackson is on the right)

The stranger found his Sweetheart card

 but with a sheepish grin

He covered up the title 

when I took the card from him.

a peek inside Jackson Jewelry shows 100% Rust Craft cards and fixtures ~ "Mr. Jackson is a great believer in Modernizing, and keeps his store up to the minute at all times; and we (Rust Craft) certainly are happy to congratulate him on this fine set up" 

Next came some youthful callers 

and among them one small lad

Who had to have a Birthday card

 a "super" One for Dad!

The Open Book Shop ~ Owned by Mrs.J. D. Moulder, Buffalo, New York "the novel display fixtures were created by Mr. Moulder."

The girls troop in and boys come too, 

all feeling sure they'll find

The Special card that says just right, 

the thought they have in mind.

Fireside Gift Shoppe Woburn, Massachusetts ~Photo Post Card Advertising

For little things like greeting cards

 reflect our ways of life

The joys, the cheer, the happiness, 

the sorrows and the strife.

Henry's Gretting Card Store Worcester, Mass. "here you see one side of an excellent display, but we are wondering when it was taken, for it's almost impossible to step into the store at any time when there are not from one to twenty or twenty-five people selecting cards!"

New babies are remembered ,

 and wives come in for praise

When husbands pick out Special cards

 on Anniversary days,

The Carl Co., Schenectady, New York ~ "the fixtures are made of wood to match the wood used in the store... Mr. J. McNamee is the merchandise man for this department, who states that by installing this new display with the overhead lights there has been a very nice increase in business"

For men and women, both alike,

 have kindly thoughtful ways.

McVicker Stationery Co., Gutherie Oklahoma

And as I turn the lock at night, 

the thought comes home to me

How Great a Friend the Greeting Card 

has really come to be!

Poem is reprinted from Rust Craft Rustler December 1943

all the pictures are from my collection of 1943 issues of Rust Craft Rustlers

MORE about Rust Craft 
 1941 SHOP WINDOWS

1940s Easter Card STORE SIGNAGE

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Doehla Greeting Cards, Inc.

1950s Doehla return order envelope;  note the address~ "In the Beautiful Merrimack Valley at the Gateway to the White Mts. Nashua, N.H." required 3 cents postage

"Thank You for your Order" envelope backside

  HARRY DOEHLA was an inspirational guy. Born in 1900, (his father an "$8 a week weaver") he lived until the age of 71 and 
died a multimillionaire greeting card mogul.   
"The King of mail order and direct sales"

 In spite of becoming crippled from rheumatic illness and wheelchair bound by age 18, 

 he built a greeting card empire

 as means to support both himself
 and his parents and ended up a millionaire by age 32. 

QUILTEX DAINTIES box assortment, featured a "stand-out" quilted-effect with satiny fabric in soft green, blue, pink, yellow and white

Harry Doehla  (pronounced DOLE-LA) shared the story of his life and encouraged others.
 When he was interviewed formally and by friends he talked of his personal struggles and his determination to succeed.  Several articles (noted and linked below) relate how Harry struggled with his handicap. When Harry was a young man, just graduating high school , he was struck with rheumatic fever leaving him crippled and in pain.
 His dreams were gone.
No college. No chemistry degree.
Now he was a young man needing to be carried like a baby in his parents arms,
 unable to walk, confined to a wheelchair
 (one article quotes him as referring to himself as a "wheelchair chauffeur")
 His future looked bleak and his spirits were down. 
  The articles touch on the excruciating pain and
the depression and hopelessness Harry experienced.
 His parents had to both work to pay for their modest lifestyle
 and medical expenses.
Harry was said to have brooded
 at home, desperate at times, to figure out a way to make money and be useful. 
 Different sources quote mottos that were said to have helped Harry.
 I suspect that he gave several examples
of "quotes he never forgot and lived by";
 they certainly reflect his personal philosophy:

A motto in a booklet from a friend is credited for inspiring him:
"Self-pity never accomplishes anything."

A speech from his graduation is credited for inspiring him:
 "What you dare to dream, dare to do."

TREASURE CHEST box set featured gold embossing, crinkly foil, mechanical swing, umbrella and awning, fold-overs, and tip-ons

1921~ after trying a variety of avenues to make a living,
including painting Christmas cards~
 a task made very laborious by his crippled hands~
Harry decided to make a living through greeting cards again, this time though,
selling cards, not painting them.
 Harry's parents mortgaged their home to pay for
 the consignment of 12,000 boxes of greeting cards

 for direct sale through mail order to representatives

 and religious and fraternal organizations for fund raising.

 Success~credited to Harry's tenacity~
he and the Doehla family managed to sell them ALL!
 ...plus 7,000 boxes MORE, that first year!

BEAUTY FRAME box set; featured 3-D frame with embossing details

 Harry and his family, with the help of seasonal employees, grew the business through the 1920s

until 1932 the Doehla company primarily sold Christmas items. 

in the 1930s the business would expand to include "everyday" assorted occasion cards thereby making business year round.

CIRCUS SET-UPS box set which included a separate, "gay stand-up trained animal" to fold in each card

 by the 1950s Doehla grew to include remodels, additional buildings around Fitchburg,  and even hiring other local business to help with filling orders and warehousing stock.  Eventually, they decided to relocate with all operations under one roof~
March 1951 the Doehla Card company acquired property Nashua, New Hampshire.
1962 Telegraph article also notes Doehla had an art studio in the Empire State Building, New York,
 as well as, branch offices and shipping facilities in
 Palo Alto, California and Atlanta, Georgia. 

SUGAR CAKE boxed set, featured a "snowy texture"

1930 Gift Wrap was added to the line

ART CREST All Occasion Gift Wrap included 28 Sheets of paper as well as coordinating  Seals and Gift Enclosure Folders

1932 Doehla branched out designing "all occasion" cards 

Harry primarily sold Christmas items until 1932  

1951 TREASURE CHEST CHRISTMAS BOX included 21 cards featuring cut-outs, pull-outs, real ribbon, 3D mountings, flocking, crepe, transparent plastic and tip-ons

1936 Doehla Company passed the Million Box mark

TYDEE DYDEE Baby Gift Cards featured 2 GOLD PLATED DIAPER PINS!

Schools, bands, churches, little league teams, "any worthy organization" all flocked to 
Doehla for fund raising products.

1950 Doehla Foundation was established 

1960s Doehla acquired Chilton Card Company, Boston 
General Card Co., Chicago

 1965  Young Look cosmetic line purchased from Lehn and Fink Co. Ohio
Doehla renovated facility in Nashua  

1965 Doehla acquires Direct Sales Divisions
of Artistic Card Publishing Corp., Elmira NY 
divisions include: 
Artistic Card Co. Inc.
Elmira Greeting Card Company, Inc.
National Youth Sales Club
Hycrest Card Company Inc. , Boston Mass
Champion Card Company, Inc. Dallas Texas

1969 Doehla acquires Hampton Greeting Card Company, Libertyville Ill.

1970 WESTCHESTER GREETINGS trademark by DOEHLA GREETING CARDS, INC. in NASHUA -Westchester made boxed assortments of Christmas Cards


 

 sources:
Nashua Telegraph, June 30, 1962 article: Doehla Greeting Cards, 1921 Started in Home
Nashua Telegraph, July 23, 1951 article: "Doehla Firm Thanks City for Welcome" 
Nashua Telegraph,Dec 11, 1976 article "Doehla Inc to be Sold"
Salt Lake Tribune, May 9, 1951 article, "Faith Can Overcome Handicaps"

"Turning Handicaps into Assets 1950, Old and Sold   Crotched Mountain Philanthropic Heroes
"I Can Do Anything!" article The Salt Lake Tribune 1951
Telegraph July 10, 1965 Doehla Renovates plant, Adds Young Look Line
the Telegraph Oct 30, 1985 1985 Doehla Inc. Moves 60 Jobs Out of Nashua

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Charlot Byj Greeting Card Roots

 Charlot Byj was an amazing artist who found her way into 

Franz Goebel's figurine factory by way of her

work in the greeting card industry.

redhead in candy shop ...that dress! those boots! the kitten! the hat! the braids! that face! so sweet♥

As her well told tale goes...... 

1940s art school graduate Charlot Byj ducked

into a greeting card shop to get out of the rain. 

There she admired some greeting cards and noted the name of the publisher whom she later contacted for an interview...she was hired and  began creating charming characters for illustrating greeting cards, .

the candies! the colors!

Her cards featured playful children with exquisite details

There was Shabby O'Hair, his sister Raggy Muffin, and their ample mother, M'Lady O'Hair, to name a few

Still Spooning!

Charlot's blond children tend to portray serene characters

whereas the redheads are known for their mischievousness
(SHOCKING, I know!!! ..... redheaded children.....mischievousness????!!! hahaha)

Been Saving Up........

These wishes for your Birthday!

it's pretty easy to see what why Charlot's work caught the eye of Franz Goebel........ isn't that the guy who made Hummels? Yes, it is! 

in the 1950s Franz Goebel invited Charlot to the W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik factory in Germany. There she worked with  master sculptor Arthur Moeller and 
created her first figurine "Strike" 1957

Over nearly a 30 yr period (1957-1988) Goebel produced 
100+ different figurines from Charlot's artwork. 
Charlot lived until August 7,1983.

Taking Great Pains.....

To wish You a HONEY of a Birthday!

loving the line of honey "pots"

 the W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik company, has it's own long and interesting history. You can read more about them by Dr. Lori HERE

ARS SACRA, Herbert Dubler, Inc.published Charlot's cards.

also Harry Doehla offered boxed sets: "Fine Arts" line

 there's a wealth of Charlot Byj collectibles on available to browse on EBAY
......here's a link to that search    charlotByj on Ebay
each and everyone is totally adorable♥

Sources and more info:
Luckey's Hummel Figurines & Plates, 11th edition

 The Hummel Pictures by Dr. Franz Julius Tschudy
article focusing on Hummel printing and Ars Sacra history http://www.hummel-art.com/career/pictures.html

Goebel History Woolvey article

http://woolvey.com/goebel-history-a-3.html