HOTEL TAFT DINNER MENU, FEATURING VINCENT LOPEZ AND HIS ORCHESTRA (SIGNED BY VINCENT LOPEZ)
New York: Hotel Taft, 1945. Bi-fold with single rear flap. Dinner menu for Hotel Taft dated for Monday, March 12, 1945 which features a pictorial of Vincent Lopez and His Orchestra on the front. Signed and inscribed by Victor Lopez on the front.
Antiqued cardpaper with dark red ink on the front and on the list of cocktails on the rear flap; black ink on the inside. Attached to the top of the inside left side are two laid-in tickets announcing daily drink specials: an orange blossom cocktail and a glass of Tokay wine. Full lobster dinner promoted on the inside on the rear flap (for $3.00!).
Touch of age-toning to menu edges, and a few faint wrinkles to the paper. "New York / March 10, 1945" written in slightly smeared black ink to front. A few light stains. Very Good. Item #100169
Vincent Lopez (1895-1975) was a Latin/Jazz entertainer and big band leader who brought his Jazz sound to the radio audience on WJZ in New York starting in 1921. He performed in residency at Hotel Taft from 1941 to 1966. Noted musicians who played in his band included Artie Shaw, Xavier Cugat, Jimmy Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Bob Effros, Mike Mosiello, Fred Lowery, Joe Tarto and Glenn Miller.
From a 1954 music critic: "Wednesdays through Fridays, Vincent [Lopez] had everybody howling at the Hotel Taft's Grill Room in New York City with his 'Shake the Maracas' show. People came from miles around to participate and compete for miniature piano lighters and a set of maracas, and to hear Vincent Lopez utter that famous line on the microphone like he did at WJZ over 30 years earlier ...'Lopez Speaking.'"
Price: $135.00