Museum Mile

Author Kay Thompson became jealous of illustrator Hilary Knight's acclaim after the first ELOISE books and withdrew the rights. Knight mocked up this book cover to satirise Thompson's growing egomania.

Thompson was most famous for her groundbreaking nightclub act in the '40's and '50's which made her the highest paid cabaret performer of her time.

She also starred with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in the film FUNNY FACE. Below is Edith Head's costume design for her first scenes.

Hilary Knight went on to design theatre posters and illustrate many books. Below is an intriguing collaboration that never get off the ground.

On the the Cooper Hewitt Museum

This, believe it or not, is a wastepaper basket.

and so much fabric and wallpaper!!

Below, detail from a wall panel at the old Ziegfeld Theater

On to the Jewish Museum

There was also an exhibit called BEAR MITZVAH. I did not know that the teddy bear was invented by a Jewish couple in Brooklyn after Teddy Roosevelt famously refused to shoot a bear that had been expressly captured for him on a hunting trip.

And finally, the Museum of the City of New York

where one can find all kinds of memorabilia!

TT was so overwhelmed by all this period glamour that he is spending the rest of his life as a Follies showgirl.