EXCERPT

Though John G. Scott continued his commercial art career, he eventually branched into other work, as well. He served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly from 1925 to 1934, and from 1939 to 1956 was superintendant of a state hospital in Coaldale, Pennsylvania. During those years, he also produced an impressive amount of “serious” art, such as portraits and landscapes, although he was never known to sell these paintings.

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Rosy-cheeked, wide-eyed children. Adorable little puppies, bunnies and kittens. Whimsical verses that evoke affection and devotion. This was the life’s work of commercial artist John G. Scott (1887-1975), who created over 2,500 greeting cards in his prolific career. His greeting cards, predominantly valentines, are the subject of a heartwarming exhibit now open in Salem, titled “My Heart is yours: John G. Scott and the Art of the Greeting Card.”

“Not many people will recognize his name,” said Salem Museum director John Long. “But anyone of a certain age will recognize his style. You probably got a few Scott valentines back in elementary school. ”

Born in Buck Mountain, Pennsylvania, Scott was the son of a miner and inventor, and seemed destined to follow in his father’s blue-collar footsteps. However, he suffered a hunting accident as a teenager that left his left arm disabled and made it difficult for him to perform manual labor. Instead, he began to study art and attended the Philadelphia Museum School to become a commercial artist. He spent much of his subsequent career working for the Gibson Greeting Card Co., although he freelanced for other card companies, as well, and designed commercial advertising, calendars and magazine covers. Some of his best-known work was a series of advertisements for the Cream of Wheat Co. in the 1920s.

Though he seldom signed his greeting card artwork, Scott’s distinctive style makes his work unmistakable. His cards typically featured cherubic, rosy-cheeked children or cute little animals and high-quality printing. Some of the higher-end cards were “mechanicals” with moving parts, while others had extra touches such as feathers, lace or even a stick of gum. As a rule, Scott also authored the text of his cards. There is no telling how many people were delighted by receiving a J.G. Scott card through the decades.

Though Scott continued his commercial art career, he eventually branched into other work, as well. He served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly from 1925 to 1934, and from 1939 to 1956 was superintendant of a state hospital in Coaldale, Pennsylvania. During those years, he also produced an impressive amount of “serious” art, such as portraits and landscapes, although he was never known to sell these paintings.

J.G. Scott died in 1975 at his home in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, pre-deceased by his wife, Nell, by only a few short months. But his work lives on and continues to enchant collectors with his delightful images and charming verse.

“This was truly a fascinating man,” said Long. “He deserves to get some credit for his long career.”

The existence of many of Scott’s cards is explained by one man: Dr. Robert Stauffer, former president and treasurer of the Salem Historical Society, and the grandson of J.G. Scott. He has spent years collecting cards and ephemera designed by his grandfather, as well as original artwork, and has authored articles on Scott’s career.

Stauffer’s pursuit of his grandfather’s legacy began in 1980, when during a visit to an aunt (a daughter-in-law of the artist) she showed him some of the magazine covers done by Scott. Continuing their trip through New England, Stauffer and his wife, Vicki, stopped in antique stores, book shops and antiquarian vendors looking for other Scott material. Before their vacation was over, Stauffer was hooked.

In recent years, the quest has become easier. At one time, a collector would have to travel far and wide, hoping to find a valentine or advertising blotter by happenstance. Today, the use of eBay and similar Internet sites has made finding his grandfather’s material all the more easy.

A retired economics professor from Roanoke College, Stauffer credits the search for Scott’s cards and artwork with awakening a passion for collecting other material, especially local postcards. Stauffer has one of the largest collections of postcards from the Salem vicinity ever assembled.

The exhibit, located in the Powell Gallery of the Salem Museum, will be up through February. While supplies last, visitors will be welcome to take a vintage Valentine (although probably not a Scott card) as a souvenir. Closer to Valentines Day, a “make-your-own card” table will be set up for children.

The Salem Museum is located at 801 E. Main St. in Salem, and is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No admission fee is charged for the museum galleries.

Submitted by Salem Museum

Photo Source: The Valley Gazette, 14th Issue, August, 1973, page 5. Re: the black and white photo.

Source: http://www.roanoke.com/community/sosalem/be-mine-retired-roanoke-college-professor-s-collection-of-grandfather/article_1ec20b57-1553-5ead-8427-63f67b2d1443.html