OT: Tropic of Capricorn

[barrysloate]

So I'm sitting here rereading Henry Miller's Tropic of Capricorn, one of my favorite books, and I came upon the following passage, where Miller is reminiscing about his childhood:

"For most of us it smelled of sugar, of Cuban plantations, of the strange Cuban flag which had a star in the corner and which was always highly regarded by those who saved the little cards which were given away with Sweet Caporal cigarettes and on which there were represented either the flags of different nations or the leading soubrettes of the stage or the famous pugilists."

Miller was born in 1891, so we have to assume he is recalling a time well before T206 (he graduated Eastern District High School in Brooklyn in 1909). So are these circa 1900-05 sets he remembers? Are his memories accurate?

[Rob D.]

Not sure, Barry, but a word of advice: Make sure you return the book to the library on time. That Bookman is relentless.

[barrysloate]

That was a classic episode...and Bookman shows up in several episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm as a cranky doctor!

[DaveW]

The T59 set (Flags of All Nations) came out in 1909-1911 and had Sweet Cap as one of it's several backs. That's probably what he's talking about.
- Dave

[Robextend]

I lost it when he called Seinfeld "Joy Boy".

[barrysloate]

Okay, but during those years he would have been 18 to 20 years old, certainly not part of one's childhood memories. And he likely would have also mentioned the little cards with the baseball players. I'm assuming he's thinking about a time when he was maybe ten years old, give or take. But I can't think of any cards available circa 1901. That was why I felt his memory may have not been that accurate.

[barrysloate]

Got any instance coffee? Why not, it's freeze dried. You keep it in the back of the cupboard. If you ever need to make a cup of coffee, it's there!

[Robextend]

I swear it looked like he was about to crack up there. I bet you they did 100 takes of that scene before Jerry actually held it together.

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Okay, but during those years he would have been 18 to 20 years old, certainly not part of one's childhood memories. And he likely would have also mentioned the little cards with the baseball players. I'm assuming he's thinking about a time when he was maybe ten years old, give or take. But I can't think of any cards available circa 1901. That was why I felt his memory may have not been that accurate.

Don't believe everything you read!

[barrysloate]

I know it's a book, but I also know Miller. Certain memories burn strong with him. He clearly had some knowledge of those cards, but he would have been an adult when they circulated. Can't figure out why he cited them as part of his childhood, that's all.