Its gone down as one of theif notthegreatest party in history.
At least in recorded history.
It runs alongside images selected by our editors today for added color.
Truman Capote at his Black and White Ball at the Plaza Hotel New York, with its guest of honor Katherine Graham, then publisher of theWashington Post.
And for luxury of dress and surrounding, this party made most Inaugural Balls seem Spartan.
Jerry Robbins wondered if we werent on the list of those to be shot first by the Red Guard.
Kenneth Galbraith said no, not as long as he was on it.
Before the party began, it had already gotten off the ground.
Most people danced and exclaimed over costumes and discovered friends as they watched.
The masks were an enormous icebreaker: even men rarely caught on a dance floor seemed happy.
David Merrick held his partner well away, and appeared to be counting the house.
Wyatt Cooper bounced on the balls of his feet, and Philip Roth managed everything but rock n roll.
