Hello everyone, I’m currently doing some research on William Schmidt, and I can’t find a digital copy of “William, King of Bartenders”, New York Press, 13 October 1889, p. 1. Do any of you perhaps have a copy and could share it with me? Among other things, it should mention that he was offered the management of the bar in the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and I’d really like to read that in the original context. Many thanks!
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As far as was able to go was to find a list of libraries that have that newspaper, not digitized, but some on microfilm.
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Here’s the article. But the one you want is the “London Letter” William sent to the New York Sun in August of that year; unfortunately, I don’t have it as printed in the Sun itself, but it was reprinted in a handful of other papers. The version in the Philadelphia Inquirer (August 5th, page 6) is the most complete I’ve found; it, too, is below.
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Thank you very much, @splificator, for this insightful post! It shows that William was thinking about his professional future. His saloon in New York was set to close due to the expansion of the Brooklyn Bridge, so he was looking for something new. Apparently, he used his trip to Europe not only to visit his parents, but also to explore his options in London, Paris, and presumably Berlin as well. But apparently, he didn’t really like it anywhere, so he returned to New York to open his own saloon there with a business partner.
Another question for you, David. I’d like to quote from the newspaper article you cite in Imbibe, 2nd edition, on pages 58–59 (from the New York Herald, 1891). Could you please provide the date and page number so I can note the exact source for the quote?
A question for everyone: Does anyone have access to the New York Sun from August 1889? It is not available at Chronicling America. The “London Letter” must have appeared there (sometime between August 1 and, presumably, August 5). It would be great to read it, as it likely contains even more important information.
Thanks, Armin
The article in THE SUN might be on August 4., because in the Sunday newspapers there is a column entitled “Latest news from Europe”.
Unfortunately the Library of Congress seems to be missing the Sun for the last half of 1889. The New York Public Library appears to have it on microfilm, although that might not be accurate. When I get a chance I’ll go and look. Likewise, I’ll dig up the other article when I can.
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And please note, Martin, this: “Vermouth cocktails, or ‘Manhattans’ as they are known all over the world where moist pleasure is dispensed…”.
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“moist pleasure”. Hahahaha. Ah, the good old days.
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