To the Net54 community,
I will start with this disclaimer. I’ve spoken to Leon offline prior to posting
this message. It is with his approval that I share this inspirational story with
you.
Every once in a while we hear or see something that touches us. Perhaps it’s
a line in a movie. Maybe it’s human interest story on the news. If you’re like
me, my inspirational moment was purchasing a baseball card. I can clearly
recall the details. It was in 1988 and the card was an E95 Philadelphia
Caramel Eddie Cicotte. Examining the back of the card I noticed it read
“Made by Philadelphia Caramel Company - Camden, New Jersey”. For almost
thirty years my interest in this candy company has inspired me. Inspired me
to collect the entire E95 set, inspired me to research and learn about this
former confectioner, and over the past four years, it’s inspired me to take on
a massive project that I’ve just completed.
Today, June 7, 2017 a new book entitled Jakob’s Story and the American
Dream is being released. It is a biography crafted in a literary non-fiction
format about the life and times of Jakob (James) Schleicher, founder of the
Philadelphia Caramel Company. This book encompasses much more than can
reasonably be included in one post. I will say that while this book is not
baseball card related per se, one chapter is devoted to the Philadelphia
Caramel Company with a couple of later chapters devoted to telling-with
great detail and certainty-what brought about the demise of his beloved
candy business.
With immigration and America’s ongoing fight against terrorism being such
hot topics in the news, this book is fitting for us in that it describes in detail
one immigrant’s true life story. Additionally, a parallel could also be drawn as
to the view some in society now hold toward Muslims and what it was like as
a German-American living in America during World War I. Both immigration
and defining what it means to be American tie into this story as it relates to
the peaks and valleys Mr. Schleicher experienced while seeking the American
Dream.
For anyone who is a history buff, or would simply like to read an inspirational
story based on actual events, I would encourage you to read some of the
advance praise, preview the books’ introduction, read a chapter, or simply
browse the website,
www.JakobsStory.com. Better yet, pick up a copy of the book
for yourself or a friend in e-book and/or softcover format today.
Thank you Leon, thank you Net54 community for your support, your
encouragement and for letting me share my and Jakob’s inspirational story!
ErikV