Black Cat Dinner, New York 1909

This Black Cat menu is from a farewell dinner at the restaurant Graf & Graf in New York City in 1909.

The restaurant was located at 130 Third Avenue north of 14th street in a part of the city known as Kleindeutschland (Little Germany) because of its dense concentration of German restaurants and beer halls during that period. 

A hub for German cuisine, famous nearby establishments included Lüchow's (opened 1882) and the Old Town Bar (opened 1892). 

The attendees are a bit of a mystery. Who are the Black Cats, with officials called the Grand Meower, the Vice Meower, the Scratcher and the Scorekat? Was the Wad Holder another name for the Treasurer? And who was Jimmie Rodriguez, who was the guest of honor Black Cat at this farewell dinner, and where was he going?

Some of the participants are listed as machinists in a 1910 directory and so it appears this menu was for a private, working-class party.

It was certainly a generous menu with dishes like oysters, filet of beef and turkey and ice-cream on offer.

 At the top of the written menu is a splendid, be-ribboned black cat using an old-fashioned telephone and having an imaginary conversation.

By 1914, the notable German restaurant Alt Heidelberg, often featured in historical photographic collections, had taken over the location.

Thanks to Henry Voigt for invaluable help with this research.