85 5th AVENUE

Footnote to the Paul Smith post yesterday and the reference to 

B. Shackman's long-lived toy store situated at 85 5th Avenue. 

Before Shackman's opened for business, there was a house on 

that site, and in that house in 1886 lived Levi Parsons Morton,

the soon-to-be 22nd Vice-President of the United States. 

Judging from his portrait, he was not immune to the fine cut 

of a stylish coat. Same time, I can't help but wonder, had he

lived 101 years later once Paul Smith had opened, might someone

on the staff been able to help him tighten that necktie just a smidge.