The New Yorker's 98th Birthday Party
The article below is by Michael Maslin, New Yorker cartoonist, colleague and my spouse! I took the photos. If you enjoy this, check out his blog all about New Yorker art and cartoonists, historical and contemporary, called Inkspill.
It’s been too many years since New Yorker contributors, staffers, and editors have been able to gather ’round together. Last night’s party at the magazine’s home at 1 World Trade Center, an evening dedicated to celebrating the magazine’s 98th birthday, was also an occasion for celebrating getting back together under one (big) roof.
Having driven down to Manhattan in record time with two fellow cartoonists, John Cuneo, and Liza Donnelly, we parked, then walked over, in the rain, past the 9/11 Memorial Reflecting Pools, to 1WTC.
After we passed through security in the Trade Center’s gigantic lobby, elevators whooshed us up to The Empire Room on the 34th Floor where, we discovered, the party had yet to begin. The party room featured screens along the walls showing The New Yorker’s debut issue (the magazine’s image would morph into the 98th anniversary issue cover, and then back into the 1925 cover). How great: Eustace Tilley would be checking in on the party all evening.
With some time to spare, we sat near the huge row of windows, facing north, and looked outside. I took the photo you see here with my flip phone, perhaps not the best quality, but I kind’ve like the results. To me, the scene looked like a J.J. Sempé New Yorker cover. All that was needed was a small figure watering a plant on a nearby rooftop. Up north along the horizon, where you see the rainclouds lifting, you might be able to make out the Chrysler Building, and The Empire State building.
It seemed somehow poetic that the very first party-goer to arrive (after us) was the magazine’s longest active contributor, Calvin Trillin. Within moments after Mr. Trillin’s arrival, people began trickling into the room. David Remnick, The New Yorker‘s editor was among the first of the tricklers. He swung by us to say hello. Then, as is often the case with parties, the room seemed to immediately fill up. In a short while, Mr. Remnick (shown directly above) spoke to the crowd for a few moments.
Emma Allen, above, the magazine’s Cartoon Editor arrived (we waved to each other) along with Rachel Perlman, the magazine’s Assistant Cartoon Editor. It was so good to finally meet Ms. Perlman, who I’ve only known through emails during this past year (she joined the staff in the Spring of 2022). Was thrilled to say “Hi” to Mary Norris (“The Comma Queen”). Ms. Norris, brimming with humor, should be appointed an honorary cartoonist. The last time I saw her was about a week ago, up on the silver screen in the Bob Caro / Bob Gottlieb documentary, Turn Every Page.
Everywhere I looked, I saw cartoonists. Some were old friends, some were newer folks I knew only from zoom chats on podcasts, and some — and I wish I knew who you were — were unknown to me — I’m sorry I didn’t meet you (next time!). The New Yorker’s longest active contributing cartoonist, Edward Koren, who was not able to attend, spoke to me from his home in Vermont Sunday night, saying, “You know I’d be there if I could!” He asked me to send his best wishes to all his colleagues, which I’m doing here and now.
Here’s just a partial list of artists I was lucky enough to speak to, or at least wave to, or just plain spotted across the room: Robert Leighton, Amy Hwang, Ken Levine, Andy Friedman (aka Larry Hat), Akeem Roberts, Ali Solomon, David Borchart, Colin Tom, Avi Steinberg, Drew Dernavich, Chris Weyant, Dan Misdea, Jason Chatfield, Maggie Larson, Joe Dator, Pat Byrnes, Drew Panckeri, Zoe Si, Lars Kenseth, Ivan Ehlers, Bishakh Som, Jason Katzenstein (J.A.K.), Felipe Galindo, Roland High, Matt Diffee, Lonnie Millsap, Bob Eckstein, Ken Krimstein, Anne Fizzard, Jeremy Nguyen, David Sipress, Mort Gerberg, Hilary Campbell, Amy Kurzweil, John Cuneo, Marcellus Hall, Jorge Columbo, Guy Richards Smit, Adam Douglas Thompson, Suerynn Lee, Sarah Kempa, Daniel Kanhai, Jenny Kroik.
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The party hours flew by — not enough time to get acquainted and reacquainted. Our carpool of cartoonists left at the stroke of 8, and headed back north, grabbing pizza just before we crossed the Harlem River. I’d give the 98th anniversary party and all who put it together an “A+” (special thanks to A.J.!). Now on to the 99th.
Finally, here’s how David Remnick ended his remarks to the crowd last night:
“We are part of an amazing ongoing idea, a cause, an enterprise. I drink to your health, and to the health of this great thing of ours.”
How delightfully ordinary. Buncha normal humans smiling and chatting. I tend to think of the New Yorker/staff as Mt. Rushmore figures, but there they were, balancing hors d'oeuvres on their plates, just like the rest of us. Hope the pizza was good.