Mugs, dames, and coppers

Some old photos seem not only of another time, but another world. One simply can’t find one’s way into the reality captured there — it’s hard to imagine the individuals pictured in the photo coming to life, to picture them laughing or crying, smiling or cursing, cracking a joke or ordering lunch.

Not so in this amazing photo that the wonderful Shorpy.com is featuring today. These are living, breathing people that one can easily imagine breaking up when someone lets loose with a Bronx cheer from the back row. This just might be our favorite Shorpy photo ever and, brothers and sisters, that’s saying something.

To see a much larger version — and revel in all the amazing detail — click on the image to be taken to Shorpy.com’s hi-res version.