The Musuem
Floor Plan
 

The Dennis Wheatley 'Museum' - The Wine Merchant

The Gourmets and Connoisseurs Circle


'The Graphic's report on the dinner hosted by DW
- DW's own Press cutting

Having introduced the Wheatleys to Historic Brandies, Stambois started a new venture in 1930.

'The Gourmets and Connoisseurs Circle' had no subscriptions and was not a club, but was rather a collection of the great and the good who met periodically to enjoy each other's company, fine wine and superb food.

In May 1930 Stambois persuaded DW to host one of the Circle's events at his premises in South Audley Street. Thirty notables sat down to dinner in white tie and tails, including Chairman Lord Decies, Sir Louis Greig - the Duke of York's (later to be King George VI) official companion and friend, the painter Sir John Lavery, Sir Percy Laurie, chief Commissioner of Police and others.

As DW later recalled, "the evening was a great success and the publicity it brought me was immense".

Sir Louis Greig in particular was to be a lifelong friend and mentor, instrumental in promoting DW's 'War Papers' in their early days, and in laying his books before the King.

References : 'Drink and Ink' p 71 and illustration opposite p 49.
Phil Baker p 271.

Provenance:Ex Humphreys Collection