OP: Random House Hostess Library

Random House, New York, 1967. Hardcover. Near Fine. First printing.

Not slurping soup or speaking with a full mouth, fortunately, remain commonly agreed upon indicators of good manners. However, other mores regarding proper public behavior, such as not wearing shorts on the subway during rush hour and not entering your boss’s office with a cigarette in your mouth (“A management stuffy enough to ban smoking on the job…is going to have to put up with stolen smokes in the rest rooms, but don’t overdo it.”) are sometimes comically misaligned with cultural shifts.

The first book in this two-volume set published by the editors of Random House takes the guessing game out of what it means to be a respectable citizen, at least by 1967’s standards. From dating dos and don’ts to proper dinner party protocol (both with or without a maid present), there is no social situation for which you’d be unprepared. Though it is a rule book, in a manner of speaking, the writing style is practical and unstuffy.

The second volume is a collection of nearly 2000 recipes with a sophisticated bent for our well-mannered hostess. An excellent wedding or housewarming gift for the polished, mid-century home.

Both volumes are totally clean and crisp—Very Good, overall, with minor wear and fading to the spines and very occasional marginalia. The slipcase is sturdy though showing general wear.