Saturday, July 9, 2011

Birth of a Saleman


Young Ralph, Future Salesman Extraordinaire, seen here hawking rug sweepers in Castle Hill, The Bronx. At his fifth call, he makes his first sale, after spitting up on his bib and crying like, well, a baby. An historical (and hysterical) moment!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Look Out First Grade - Ralph Graduates Kindergarten


June, 1954: Ralph graduates from kindergarten at Santa Maria School in the Bronx (obviously). Here's our young author surrounded by a cast of characters that reads like the credits to "Moonstruck": Lorraine Ciccarelli, Gregory Palaveri, Barbara Zampetti, Mary Ann D'Amico, John Pisano, et al.