In the 1910’s, this was how you stirred your coffee at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. Under the watchful eye and warm welcome of Oscar Tschirky (1866-1950), the famous maitre’d that kept the dining room running with the utmost care throughout his 50 year career, these spoons have mingled with well to do travelers, prominient Manhattanites and icons of industry. Synonymous with luxury accommodations and exceptional service, the Waldorf set the standard for impeccable hospitality amongst the luxury hotels of America. 🥄 Symbolizing glamour, elegance, beauty and discretion, the hotel at first began as two hotels... the Waldorf and the Astoria both built by competing members of the Astor family. Eventually, thank goodness, they got their act together and joined forces. The original hotel was built where the Empire State Building stands today but in the 1920s they moved uptown to 49th Street and Park Avenue where the hotel still stands graciously welcoming visitors from all over the world. From day one, Oscar was there. He was a part of opening day in 1893 in the original location, he saw these spoons circulate among the hotel guests in the 1910s, he moved uptown with the hotel in the 1920s, and held court there until 1943 when he retired. These spoons are such a fun piece of hotel history and tell many stories from many different perspectives... the diners, the hotel staff, the hospitality industry and the hotel brand itself. Included here are photos of the Waldorf stamp on the back of each spoon as well as a photo of the original hotel on 5th Avenue and a wonderful of portrait of Oscar looking so proud:) Find the spoons in the shop along with a little story about a legend that surrounds them:) . . . . . #waldorfastoria #antiqueflatware #antiquespoons #hotelware #nychistory #nychistoricbuildings #hotelstyle #restauranthistory #oscarofthewaldorf #tarnishedsilver https://www.instagram.com/p/CD1cV8mA0pN/?igshid=16j38hxpfphu3
