Party Pictures 12/1/05 - Graff USA and DPC hosted a booksigning for Julie Baumgold's "The Diamond"

New York Days and New York Nights

Yesterday lunchtime over at Michael’s several friends of Caroline Kennedy, including literary agent Esther Newberg, celebrated the 48th birthday of our fabled late President’s daughter — whose actual birthday was last Saturday, November 27. Two days before that, last Thursday, the 25th was also the 45th anniversary of the birth of her late brother, John F. Kennedy Jr., and of course three days before, that, the 22nd, was 42nd anniversary of the tragic fate of their beloved father John F. Kennedy Jr.

Michael’s was packed with the clamoring crowds yesterday and so it is fair to say that many may have noticed the daughter of Jack and Jackie, at her round table of six, as it was in a prominent position near the front of the room. Although they may have been unaware of the special occasion.

At this time in her life, she’s come into her own special beauty. She has the bright, angular face and the warm smile of her father’s side, and the bright smiling eyes of her mother. It is impossible, at least for some of us, on seeing this lovely woman, the last and still youthful survivor of a powerful yet brief moment in our history, not to be reminded of the great and positive impact her parents had on our country and a whole generation all over the world. Although she is, by choice, the least publicized personality of her immediate family, she nevertheless manages their public memory with dignity and grace at all times, and New Yorkers are uniquely fortunate to have her and her own young family among us.

The author signing away

Last night Henri Barguidjian, the CEO of Graff USA and I hosted a booksigning at the Madison Avenue store for Julie Baumgold and her new novel The Diamond (Simon & Schuster). Among the guests were several longtime friends of the author as well as her mother Norma Baumgold and her daughter Lily Kostner. Before the arrivals Julie and I were taking in the astonishing light and lustre of Graff’s collection of diamonds – white, pink and canary yellow – as well its sapphires and emeralds.

Being in the presence of such precious gems always inspires thoughts (and fancies) about the wonder of history and its treasures. The author, in referring to her absorbing story of the legendary Regent diamond which was last in private possession with Emperor Napoleon (and now in the permanent collection of the Louvre), told me that she had a fated connection to its history. Her mother was born on June 18, the date of the emperor’s final defeat by the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo. It was also on a night of June 18th, (many many decades later after Napoleon’s massive defeat of course), when the then pregnant Mrs. Baumgold was out dancing, celebrating her birthday, with Mr. Baumgold, and she felt her first labor pains. Unable to make the steps back into their house (on East 78th Street), Norma Baumgold went straight to the hospital. The following day an author was born.

More than a hundred came through the doors of this tiny salon which is said to sell more diamonds over $50,000 in price than all of its other famous competitors in New York. Rare and fabled stones aside, there were also astounding hors d’oeuvres such as tiny little cheeseburgers (melted over a slice of pickle) on slivers of buns, and warm cones of chicken quesadillas, all washed down with champagne, if that was to your liking. The author signed more than 125 copies of her book and guests left with them in Graff’s shiny navy and silver bags, along with sugar cookies decorated in white and silver beading depicting the big snowflake that is now suspended above Fifth Avenue at 57th Street. There’s an even bigger treat in store for those who crack open the book.