Esquire Party Book, First Edition, Later Printing Designed by Seymour Chwast

  

Is not simply a guide to entertaining-it is a time capsule from mid-century America, when wit, style, and social confidence mattered as much as the cocktails themselves. Compiled by the editors of. Magazine, the book blends humor, illustrations, menus, games, and social choreography into a distinctly urbane manual for hosting with flair.

Designed and illustrated by Seymour Chwast, the visual language is unmistakably mid-century modern: playful, graphic, and sharply observant. The text moves easily between practical advice and cultural satire, offering a glimpse into a world where parties were performances and hosts were expected to be clever, prepared, and just a little daring.

It is as much about atmosphere and attitude as it is about food or drink. What makes the book endure is its voice-self-aware, slightly irreverent, and confident that entertaining is an art form.

Even for readers who never intend to host a 1950s cocktail party, the book reads like a manifesto for social style, ending not with instructions but with the sense that the real party hasn't quite started yet. After all, a party is not something you give. It is something that happens. Illustrated & Designed by: Seymour Chwast.

In association with Harper & Row. Publication Year: Originally published 1956. Place of Publication: New York. Edition Statement: First Edition, Later Printing. Binding: Hardcover with dust jacket. Dust jacket is in excellent condition, with strong color, minimal edge wear, and no major losses. Hardcover binding is clean and intact. Interior pages are crisp and unmarked. Overall a very attractive example, particularly desirable for its jacket condition.