Hats off to Michael at A Continuous Lean for this awesome post - His Life magazine archive posts are always little gems, but this one takes the cake.
The Stork Club
was a famous Manhattan night club that was founded by Oklahoma native
and ex-bootlegger Sherman Billingsley (ed. note: amazing name), and
operated continuously from 1929-1965. The NYC hot spot — which was
located on 53rd Street near Fifth Avenue — was a destination for
celebrities, artists, writers and wealthy people in general. You might
remember The Stork Club from an appearance in the second season of Mad
Men when Don and Betty infamously attended a party hosted by Jimmy
Barrett.
While cruising through the LIFE archive, I found a mesmerizing
series of images of Mr. Billingsley demonstrating his own brand of
nightclub-code via hand gestures. The full set of images are below.
LIFE caption: Closeup of Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley w.
hand on tie, one of his elaborate signals to his nearby assistant which
means “No check for this table,” while sitting w. patrons over his
usual Coca Cola, in the Cub Room.

LIFE caption: Closeup of Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley
pointing down, one of his signals to nearby assistant which means
“Bring a round of drinks,” while sitting w. patrons over his usual Coca
Cola, in the Cub Room.

LIFE caption: Closeup of Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley w.
palm up on table, one of his signals to nearby assistant which means
“Bring a bottle of champagne,” while sitting w. patrons over his usual
Coca Cola, in the Cub Room.

LIFE caption: Closeup of Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley
tugging at his pocket handkerchief, one of his signals to nearby
assistant which means “Get them a bottle of perfume” (ranging fr. $7.50
to Chanel at $150) while sitting w. patrons over his usual Coca Cola,
in the Cub Room.

LIFE caption: Closeup of Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley w.
hand to nose, one of his signals to nearby assistand which means “Not
important people” or “Their check is no good.” while sitting w. patrons
over his usual Coca Cola, in the Cub Room.

LIFE caption: Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley (2R) flashing one
of his eleborate signals (5-fingers spread out on L hand) to his
assist. Gregory Pavilides meaning that music in the main dining room is
too loud, as he chats w. patrons over a Coca Cola, in the Cub Room.

LIFE caption: Closeup of Stork Club owner Sherman Billingsley w.
hands interlocked & thumb up, one of his elaborate signals to
nearby assistants which means “Get them out & don’t let them in
again” while sitting w. some annoying patrons over his usual Coca Cola.
