TLS signed “Jim Cagney,” two pages, 7 x 10.5, Verney Farm letterhead, July 27, 1974. Cagney responds to an admirer. In part: “You mustn’t take the figures used by the press too literally. The ‘Who’s Who’ was wrong by 5 years, and no matter how often I told them my right age somehow they’d always come up with something else. As a matter of fact there is something with all the facts and figures you mentioned. I was never interested in swimming and fancy diving. I left that all to Harry, and I nver [sic] studied dancing or acrobatics. I took my first steps when I signed on with a broken down Vaudville [sic] act only because the salary was $35 a week and the family needed the money. In 1919 they were paying men with families $18.00 a week for ordinary jobs. That I’m sure you must remember. My interest in dancing was entirely a mercenary one, and that it finally paid well was just plain good luck. Harry, who was a physician died in 1964. My other medico brother died in 1967. I made 75 last week. Harry would have been 76 and something had he lived…I seem to be taking you to task for what I consider to be some inaccuracies, but I’m really not, having arrived at a stage of life when I know the memory plays tricks—mine does with me. I’m just tossing in these items for what they are worth with no criticism intended.” Intersecting vertical and horizontal folds with a vertical fold crossing the middle of his last name, uniform toning to the first page, and wrinkles, otherwise fine condition. Although Cagney took up dancing to support his family, it became a lifelong passion, with one of his most memorable dancing roles being George M. Cohen in Yankee Doodle Dandy. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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