Porter, Cole

27 annotated typed lists of guests for dinner at Cole Porter's apartment in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York, (6 x 4 1/2 in.; 127 x 114 mm), probably 1961 and 1962, prepared by Cole Porter's secretary Madeline Smith, with details of the guests, their culinary choices, whether or not reminders have been sent, changes to the invitees in pencil and ink, and location ("country"), including many friends, acquaintances and lovers, musicians, playwrights, relatives, socialites and others, Kitty Hart, Prince and Princess Radziwill, Lew Kesler, Ben Hur Baz, the Lunts, Beatrice Lillie, Nicolas Haslam, Leonard Bernstein, Anita Loos, the Duke of Verdura, Carol Channing, Arthur Rubenstein, and many others, With: A collection of 35 menu cards for dinners at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and elsewhere, prepared by Porter's secretary Madeline Smith and a large collection of printed, mostly blank reminder-cards.

In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Dinner with Cole Porter in his declining years was a very formal occasion.  He would dine with friends almost every week night at 8:30 precisely. Guests would be sent a reminder card and be expected to be absolutely punctual.  Dinner on Fridays would often be in Porter's country home.  Although the cards were scrupulously dated, no year is given.