Original, antique Victorian book, hard cover, First Edition, 1893. A scarce title. A wonderful and very charming book of upper class society and aristocratic Victorian entertaining, with much on hostessing in a large country estate or manor, cookery, proper foods and recipes, servants, party and dining ideas, social etiquette, being the perfect hostess, guests, desserts and bon bons, wines, American and European dining, special occasion parties, weddings, teas and social, formal breakfasts, dining for royalty, balls and receptions, weddings, holidays, table decorations, games and sports, menus, a chapter on cooks, gastronomy, and much more...Original antique book. From a small scale teas to formal banquet, or a quiet anniversary breakfast for 2......dealing with every aspect of entertaining in a large mansion of country estate, this enchanting book covers a wealth of information for the "to the manor born" Victorian and Edwardian Hostess. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey!
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TITLE is THE ART OF ENTERTAINING......Attractive hard cover book with dark blue covers, shiny gilt stamping, and 404 numbered pages. Author is the well known high society leader and noted authority on upper class entertaining, Mrs. M.E. W. Sherwood. Published by Dodd Mead, New York. 1893 publishing date on title page. Printed by the Cambridge Press. Portia Series. Great for the upcoming Fall and Winter holiday events, as well as all year long party and dinner giving done in the vintage style...The Perfect gift for you or your the perfect Hostess!
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A wealthy young wife faced with giving a formal dinner or party for the first time is faced with an ocean of servants, cooks, maids, butchers and lists which all swim before her eyes. She is like "at sea without a chart" and this book is dedicated to helping her face the challenges and master the ART OF ENTERTAINING.
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I list the chapter headings below, and there is more in here than the chapter names can tell.....the author has written this is a personal and charming well written style that is both informative and amusing, in an upper class sort of way that reminds me of the Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey. I would bet that this exact same book resided in the Downton Abbey bookshelves! Full of anecdotes and literary references to dinner, food and parties that are like the icing on the cake, adding flavor and charm to the vast amount of detailed information in here. A GEM!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS:..............................
THE SEASON -- BALLS AND RECEPTIONS
THE HOSTESS................
BREAKFAST................
THE LUNCH...............
AFTERNOON TEA..................
THE INTELLECTUAL COMPONENTS OF A DINNER............
CONSCIENTIOUS DINERS................
VARIOUS MODES OF GASTRONOMICAL GRATIFICATION
SOUPS................................
FISH................
SALAD................................
DESSERTS................
BONBONS.................
FAMOUS MENUS AND RECIPES..........
COOKERIES AND WINES OF SOUTHERN EUROPE.........
GERMAN EATING AND DRINKING..........................
THE INFLUENCE OF GOOD CHEER ON AUTHORS AND GENIUSES..........
SOME ODDITIES IN THE ART OF ENTERTAINING.........
THE SERVANT QUESTION...................
SOMETHING ABOUT COOKS..........
FURNISHING A COUNTRY HOUSE............
ENTERTAINING IN A COUNTRY HOUSE..........
A PICNIC...........
PASTIMES OF LADIES................
PRIVATE THEATRICALS.............
GOLF..............
ARCHERY.........
WEDDINGS....................
HOW ROYALTY ENTERTAINS..............
ENTERTAINING AT EASTER............
HOW TO ENTERTAIN CHILDREN.........
CHRISTMAS AND CHILDREN...............
CERTAIN PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS........................
THE COMPARATIVE MERITS OF AMERICAN AND FOREIGN MODES OF ENTERTAINING..................
OUR AMERICAN RESOURCES AND FOREIGN ALLIES.....................
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A cookbook, in a sort, but so much more..............
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maker.
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CONDITION is very good. Mild wear to the covers, the book is tightly bound, clean, and complete. Not an ex library book, this is from a private Victorian estate. Covers are firmly attached, slight bit of wiggle is all, hinges are not cracked. Covers are clean, showing light wear, corner bumps, etc (please see the photos). Gold gilt shows nicely, light fading,. Spine is a bit faded (see pix) and has edge wear but is still good and shows the title. End papers clean. No musty odors to the book. Inside is very good, paper is not torn or brittle or dry. Color of paper has aged a bit but the paper is supple and smooth. No foxing or rips, all pages bound. The book is antique and shows mild normal age, a few signs of age, but is overall very good.
PLEASE ASK IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AS THERE ARE NO RETURNS ON ANTIQUE BOOKS and vintage magazines. THANK YOU.
I ship every 4 days, and shipping is form the West Coast. I combine shipping on like items.
On Oct-26-18 at 13:15:19 PDT, seller added the following information:
IMPORTANT UPDATE...This book does NOT have a rumple or a tear on the front cover. The covers are in very good shape, no rumples and no tears. Thank you!