Johnny Ramone’s personal ‘Notice of Classification’ draft card from the U.S. Selective Service System, 2.25 x 3.5, dated March 15, 1967, filled out in type and issued to “John W. Cummings” with the Selective Service No. 505948963 as part of Class 2S until February 1968. Included with the card is the original mailing envelope addressed in the hand of Johnny Ramone, who sent this draft card to his friend, artist Andy Gore, in April 2000; Ramone has also applied his personal “John Cummings” return address label to the upper left-hand corner. In fine condition. Accompanied by an exhibition card custom-made by Gore, who loaned this Johnny Ramone draft card to Ramones artist Arturo Vega for his globe-trotting Ramones traveling museum.
This one-of-a-kind item held special significance to Johnny Ramone, who, according to Gore, held this card next to his father, Frank Cummings, as the two sat together in their living room watching the draft lottery numbers selected live on television. The two breathed a collective sigh of relief when Johnny’s birthdate was not called. In essence, the card represents a ‘what if’ scenario; had Johnny been drafted, would the Ramones have ever been? According to Gore, ‘Johnny told me he kept his draft card was a sentimental keepsake that reminded him of that important time in his life that he spent with his father.’
From the personal punk rock archives of Andrew D Gore.
