Déjeuner dinatoire du 14 Février 1916

[Vienna, Austria], 1916. Broadsheet menu, (16.5 x 12 cm.), pasted onto a card backing. The menu bears the blind-stamped armorial crest of Austria-Hungary. At the time of this dinner, the arch-conservative Prime Minister Carl Graf Sturgkh, was ruling alone, having dissolved both the provincial assembly, and the Austrian Rechstrat. Eight months after this meal, Sturgkh was assassinated. The meal is simple but elegant: Oglio en tasse, turbot a l'amirale, selle de veau Godard, Chaudfroid a la Diane, Artichauts a l'istrienne, Pain Médine, patisserie de fromage, sorbet, and dessert. The wines are exceptional, as would be expected: Xéres Oloroso, Niersteiner 1904 Auslesse Ruthe, Chat. Lafitte 1878 Acker, Moet-Chandon Imperial, and Chat d'Yquem 1974 Acker. All followed by a Cognac Marquis or "Allasch"(a fine kummel). Also included is a clipping from the Wiener Bilder, with a photograph of Sturgkh, pasted onto a sheet of card. The menu has been folded, is worn at the folds, and is somewhat soiled; one corner is chipped. Good. Signed by Strugkh in the lower right-hand corner.