Rag and Bone Man in early 20th century NYC
Those masterful images, because complete
Grew in pure mind, but out of what began?
A mound of refuse, of the sweepings of a street,
Old kettles, old bottles, and a broken can,
Old iron, old bones, old rags, that raving slut
Who keeps the till. Now that my ladder’s gone
I must lie down where all ladders start
In the foul rag-and-bone shop of the heart.
—William Butler Yeats, “The Circus Animals’ Desertion”
Very excited to share this poster of my upcoming lecture and book signing at Falvey Memorial Library o the Villanova campus Monday October 21st at 12:30 pm. I will be covering some unknown events during the early emigration of Italians to this country.
Light refreshments will be served at this Ciao Philadelphia co-sponsored event that is free to the public.
“Amazing Book. Not a mystery yet I could not put it down! So beautifully written it makes you long for more and more.
I was familiar with many of the places and traditions because that is exactly where my people are from. Reading about those places and people in such a beautiful way meant a lot to me.
This is a book your children must read!” Gene C. 8-1-2018
Many Italian immigrants sought the familiarity of their customs and trades as they eventually settled in America in the early 1900’s. Tailors found their way to New York City; stone cutters made their way to the Midwest and fishermen found comfort and labor along the West Coast.
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