The   dance   was   written   for   the   retiral   of   Jimmy Taylor   as   RSCDS   Stirling   Branch   Chairman   in   1990   after   25   years   of service   to   the   branch.   The   title   'Jim’s   Haberdashery'   was   the   name   affectionately   given   to   the   Society’s   shop, originally 'Strathspey Sales,' which, as finance convener, Jimmy instigated. The   British   definition   of   haberdashery   is:   small   items   used   in   sewing,   such   as   buttons,   zips,   and   thread.   The derivation is uncertain though may come from the Anglo-Norman habertas  meaning small goods. In   the   US   a   haberdasher   is   a   men’s   outfitter,   of   which   the   most   famous   must   be   the   33 rd    President   Harry   S Truman. Another   interesting   piece   of   trivia   about   him   is   that   his   middle   name   was   just   S   -   this   was   not   an   abbreviation   for anything so strictly should not be followed by a full stop! When   Harry   Truman   left   school   aged   17,   he   took   a   few   odd   jobs   including   as   a   bank   clerk.   In   1906   he   left   to   help his   father   at   the   family   farm.   In   1910,   he   began   writing   letters   to   his   former   classmate   Bess   Wallace   who   declined his   first   offer   of   marriage   in   1911.   However,   Truman   was   determined   young   man,   and   built   a   tennis   court   for   his athletic   beloved,   though   it   did   not   seem   to   impress   her   much.   Finally   in   1913,   the   two   became   engaged.   Truman was   then   29   years   old,   but   he   was   still   figuring   out   what   to   do   with   his   life. After   his   father’s   death   he   invested   in two   risky   endeavors   in   zinc   and   oil,   both   of   which   left   him   with   more   debt   than   before.   During   WWI,   Truman became   a   captain   in   the   army   and   with   his   military   friend Edward    “Eddie”    Jacobson    they    operated    the    regimental canteen   with   such   great   success   that   they   decided   to   go   into business together once the war was over. They    started    their    Truman    &    Jacobson    haberdashery    on November   28,   1919,   at   104   West   12th   Street,   Kansas   City. (pictured   right   c.1921)   They   sold   mostly   gent’s   accessories but    also    a    few    suits.    Interestingly,   Truman    would    always wear tailored suits, not the ones he sold in the store! Although    initially    the    store    flourished    it    faced    severe financial   difficulties   by   1922   and   closed   in   September   of   that year,     leaving     Jacobson     bankrupt     and     Truman     heavily indebted.   Jacobson   continued   in   the   menswear   trade   whilst Truman turned to his political career.

JIM'S HABERDASHERY (J8x40)  Alan MacPherson  Bannockburn 700  1- 8 1s+2s dance Double Fig of 8 (1s crossing down)  9-16 1M+2M   turn   RH   &   1L+2L   turn   LH   1½   times,   1s   dance   out   own   side, down behind 3s & cross up to 2 nd  place opposite sides 17-24 1s   dance   reels   of   3   on   opposite   sides   (1s   out   &   up/2s   in   &   down   to start), 1s end crossing up to 2 nd  place own sides 25-32 1s   dance   reels   of   3   on   own   sides   (1s   out   &   up   to   start),   1s   end   in centre facing up 33-40 1s dance up to top, cast to 2 nd  place & 2s+1s+3s turn RH Original   version:-   33-40      1s   turn   2s   with   nearer   hand   (4   bars)   &   turn   3s   with other hand (4 bars) The   author   wrote   on   "Strathspey":   This   finish   seemed   to   cause   difficulty   for many   dancers   who   appeared   unable   to   phrase   it   correctly   and   I   reluctantly changed   it   to   a   more   conventional   finish:   33-36   1st   couple,   with   nearer   hands joined, dance to the top, and cast off. 37-40. All turn partner RH