... my day is complete.

BoingBoing just posted a link to the US Archives "Notable Registrants of the World War I Draft" and Jim, age 19, is among them:
http://www.archives.gov/southeast/wwi-draft/cagney.html

Actually, I found an image of his draft papers about a year ago - and a couple censuses that include him too. Yes, I am a year ahead of BoingBoing's curve! ;-) I'd forgotten that it described him though:

Color of Eyes: Gray
Color of Hair: Red

I don't know how he managed to get away without having his height recorded! It just says "Medium", when really, even for the time I think he was short. Though maybe since he was only 19 they figured he might grow a bit still.

I note Al Capone was 5'7".

Since we haven't done it for awhile, here's some JC picture swooning. The theme is Jim @home:


This is his boat, 1939 or so.

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One of my favorite sellers on eBay is veronika4151 - don't be alarmed by the fact that she is based in Prague, I've ordered from her twice and the items have arrived faster than any packages sent from the US at the same time (under 2 weeks - 2 weeks is the average time from the US to here) and her shipping costs seem very reasonable to me. Beyond all those practicalities, she's just a delight to deal with. Receiving a package from her is more like a getting a gift from a friend - there's a personal note, and tiny little trinkets added, and lovely wrapping. Absolute Class. I treasure the items I've bought from her.

And the descriptions on her lovely Victorian, Art Nouveau and Deco handbags, jewelry and accessories! I love it. And I also love that many of her Buy It Now items have a Best Offer option. Check out this intriguing Edwardian document carrier that's for auction right now:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270192164877&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

Her store:
http://stores.ebay.com/Art-Nouveau-and-Deco-Collectables

I <3 NYC
I <3 Shorpy.com

A collection I put together this morning to celebrate both.


April 24, 1920. New York City. "Overalls Circus Parade." View full size. 5x7 glass negative, George Grantham Bain Collection. In the background: The Cort Hotel, probably at 301 West 48th Street and Eighth Avenue. Is it still there? View full size at Shorpy.com.

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