1935 Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book

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OLD WALDORF-ASTORIA BAR BOOK Masterson-had grabbed Plunkett's collar, a movement had started toward the exit-toward all exits, in fact. Men be– gan pouring not only into the extension of Peacock Alley, but into the Grill Room, and the emergency lavatory at the southeast corner of the Bar, past which safety could be gained, was choked by men who merely wanted to find a quick way out, but missed the door. Opportunities offered by the assemblage of so many men who were making easy money in mining, or in "The Street,'' were too pregnant to be resisted by certain pur– veyors of luxuries. At least one noted dealer in uncut precious stones always drifted in to scan those whose actions or talk indicated they had been lucky in the market, and he usually did a thriving business because, in those times, men who had made money on "flyers" were apt to have their lighter moments. That crafty psychologist de– rived considerable profit from persuading such that one way to celebrate their good fortune was to select a costly trinket for the lady in the uptown flat. And invariably in the gathering were to be discovered a full half-dozen gen– tlemen whose specialty in trade was either high-priced art or antiques. To their activities amid those inspirational scenes one who used to know most of the local art mer– chants and many of the imported ones has often dated the rise of the passion for art-collecting which became so wide– spread and violent during the early years of the century. More than once, however, the yearning for the acquisition of "high art" instilled-or distilled-in that impregnated, if not perfumed, atmosphere, was subjected to check and revision by experience and acquired knowledge of the sub– ject; and more than one nouveau who used to brag about the "old masters" he had picked up, found excuse later on