Elsa Maxwell obit 2

Elsa Maxwell Dies at 80 (Continued From Page 1.) standing with Mrs. Mesta or anyone else. She once wrote in an autobiography: “I am recognized as the arbiter of international society and the most famous hostess in the world. I have entertained more royalty than any other untitled hostess. Olivier (of the Ritz in Paris) stated that only three people in all his experience knew how to order a dinner properly—the prince of Wales, afterward King Edward VII, Prince Esterhazy of Hungary, and Elsa Maxwell.” Miss Maxwell traced her career as a party-giver to a rebuff she suffered at the age of 12, when she was told her family was too poor to warrant her being invited to a party in San Francisco. “I made up my mind I would give great parties all over the world,” she later recalled. And so she did. Miss Maxwell was the daughter of an insurance man who wrote a column at a salary of $10 a week for the defunct New York Dramatic Mirror, a newspaper devoted to the dramatic arts. The family moved to San Francisco where Miss Maxwell grew up. Never Finished School She never graduated from grammar school. Her father had an aversion to formal education and taught her himself. As she moved along in her unusual career she served as a pianist in a nickelodeon, a vaudeville accompanist, a partner in a Paris nightclub, consultant to a dressmaker, a columnist and a nationally known lecturer. Recently, she won attention as a controversial guest on Jack Paar’s nighttime television show. She wagged a forefinger at the camera as she expressed her dislike of a wide range of celebrities— Columnist Hedda Hopper, Multimillionaire J. Paul Getty, Actress Jayne Mansfield, Cleveland Amory, social historian, and Singer Elvis Presley. Miss Maxwell gave her first party for royalty in 1921. It featured as honor guest Princess Helena Victoria, a daughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain. cant expanse of the Arena floor of the Municipal Auditorium and mused how to give it the intimate atmosphere. “Crowded0” she replied. “I want it crowded. It must be crowded. Lots of people, lots of places to sit down—there you have that intimate touch that is so necessary for a successful party.” Presided at Ball Here Elsa Maxwell is remembered in Kansas City party-going circles as the mistress of ceremonies at the first American Royal Coronation ball, held here in 1939. Imported to design a festive evening, she looked over the va- Sole on all Rockers o SAVE Terms, of Course Open Daily 9 to 9 Saturday 9 to 6 Free Parking Dine in the Grand BUT SAVE WITH OUR LOW,