Truman Capote knew how to assemble a cast of characters, and on November 28, 1966, he brought an extraordinary one to the Plaza Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. His Black and White Ball, held in honor of Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham, turned a masquerade into a masterpiece of social theater. The 540-person invitation list brought together Hollywood, high society, literature, politics, and art: Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, Babe Paley and Lee Radziwill, Andy Warhol and Norman Mailer. Guests arrived in black and white, their famous faces concealed behind masks, though anonymity was hardly the point. In a city accustomed to exclusive invitations, Capote had made admission to his party a distinction all its own.
Champagne supplied the sparkle: 450 bottles of Taittinger helped sustain the celebration. Beneath the glamour, however, the evening retained a surprisingly comfortable appetite. The midnight supper included chicken hash and spaghetti, dishes more familiar than the dazzling company might suggest. That combination remains part of the ball’s appeal. Extravagance could share a table with simplicity, provided the host knew how to make both feel perfectly at home.
“Even a drink deserved to arrive properly dressed.”
It is easy to imagine the glassware playing its own supporting role in such a production: a Champagne coupe raised in greeting, a slender stem held between gloved fingers, a bright rim catching the ballroom light. Beautiful stemware becomes part of a party’s choreography. It gives guests something elegant to hold while they circulate, exchange gossip, and decide whether the person across the room is worth a closer introduction.
That sense of occasion still belongs at the home bar. A graceful coupe or sharply tailored Martini glass can lend ceremony to the smallest gathering. The pleasure begins before the first sip, in the shape of the bowl, the balance of the stem, and the care suggested by a drink thoughtfully presented. A familiar cocktail acquires a little anticipation; an ordinary evening finds a reason to linger.
Explore vintage-style glassware, classic barware, and retro drinkware in HISTORY COMPANY’s Barware Essentials collection. Chosen for cocktail enthusiasts, home bar collectors, and anyone who appreciates a gift with a past, these pieces bring enduring style to present company. Set out the glasses, invite someone interesting, and give the evening a little room to become memorable. Every Gift Tells a Story.
