The Duchess of Queensberry and How is Her Dutchess Like a Teaspoon?

      The Duchess of Queensberry, Catherine Douglas

There is quite a bit of history at the Royal College of Physicians in England.  After all, it was founded in 1518 by a charter granted by King Henry VIII, so it has been in business for quite some time.  

The teaspoon in question, or a "Dutchess" if you will, is from a collection of medical artifacts at the college.  Medical artifacts collected by the late Dr. Cecil Symons (1921–1987) and his wife Jean.   Dr. Symons was a cardiologist with a curiosity about Georgian Era medicinal spoons, among other things.  He and his wife Jean didn't simply buy items for their historical significance, many were bought because they simply liked the pieces and found them interesting.  I have found most collectors to buy items for the same reason. 

 According to Jean Symons in her article, "A duchess, a physician and a spoon", Symons writes, "The development of the medicine spoon in the Georgian era and particularly whether it preceded the teaspoon - or vice versa - was of particular interest.  In 1979 a spoon came up for auction inscribed: 'Gift of the Dutchess of Queensberry to Lady Carbery'. Why did she give a spoon in a shagreen case? Was it for medicine or tea? She was known to have a deep interest in potions, tissanes and balsamic draughts and to have made them for her friends. A dose of medicine became known as 'a teaspoonful' and it is interesting that that the modern 5ml plastic medicine measure has exactly the same capacity as the duchess'Carberry'ry of 1755."

'Gift of the Dutchess of Queensberry to Lady Carberry'    

Just as today, tea at that time was promoted by many as having medicinal benefits. In fact, according to Symons, the Dutchess of Queensberry had given away many such spoons as gifts, along with the "medicines" she had made.  So many were given away in fact, that a teaspoon soon came to be known as "a Dutchess". 

‘A Dutchess’ (c. 1755), engraved on a similar spoon in the Symons Collection made by Thomas and William Chawner in London and a silver medicine spoon and case (c.1755) inscribed 'Gift of the Dutchess of Queensberry to Lady Carberry' .

    Notes Symons, "A dose of medicine became known as ‘a teaspoonful’ and the modern plastic medicine spoon, still called a teaspoon, has an identical 5 ml capacity to the duchess’s silver spoon, which further suggests it may have been used as a medicine spoon."  So there you have it...   A dutchess is just like a teaspoon!  

Who Sat Where with The Duke and Duchess in Hollywood?

 After looking over my Australian seating chart from 1934, and reading up on so many royal dinners, I got to wondering...

Who Sat Where with The Duke and Duchess in Hollywood?

Will the seating charts for the BAFTA dinner and charity event ever wind up framed somewhere?  Probably not, as most likely the chart was all done electronically and is on someone's computer.  

Seeing the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge was an event few celebrities wanted to miss.  The Hollywood Reporter provided at least one table's seating arrangement.  That of the "Head Table"! 

Thank you Hollywood Reporter... I always knew my subscription to you would be worthwhile!

The Duke and his Duchess, William and Kate attended the star-studded BAFTA gala.  Prince William, BAFTA’s president, introduced forty-two emerging actors, producers, writers and even video game designers to Hollywood's elite.

The Duke and his Duchess arrive in style to the BAFTA event.

Actually there were far fewer celebrities sitting at the table with the Duke and Duchess than I would have imagined.  Of course, many feel Barbra Streisand to be "Hollywood Royalty" so seeing her name was not a surprise to me.  

I did note that husbands and wives were seated together.  That generally has been frowned upon so that others at the table do not feel left out of conversations.  

All things considered though, I think it was a good grouping.  Cheers!



         Royal Seating Chart for the BAFTA Event

Summer Etiquette Classes for All Ages at Historic Graber Olive House

State Dinner for the Duke of Gloucester, Australia 1934 and a Connection to Helena Bonham Carter

   Here are new, and much clearer, photos of some names from the seating chart for the dinner in honor of the Duke of Gloucester, Australia 1934 of a previous post.  

Note the “Capt. S.S. Bonham Carter.”  Later “Admiral Sir Stuart Bonham Carter,” he had served in the Royal Navy in both World Wars and rose to the rank of Vice Admiral.  He was a distant relative of actress Helena Bonham Carter.  

Seated at 2. Capt. S. S. Bonham Carter

  

A Duke and Duchess, A Fashion Icon and a "What Was She Thinking?!?"

Now first let me start by saying that I do not wish to publicly get into debates about the behavior of anyone, unless I am asked by the person who's behavior is in question.  Okay, okay... aside from Casey Anthony. I will most likely be spewing my feelings about her until I draw my last breath, but I digress.  Back to the subjects at hand.  

With our royal visit here in the southland only a few days passed, I have gotten numerous emails including one from across the pond asking for my thoughts about Lu Parker "handling" the visiting Duchess, (aka the world's newly dubbed "Fashion Icon").  

When I first saw the photo myself, I was taken aback.  I was looking at it on my phone, so I went to my desktop computer to make sure my eyes weren't playing tricks on me.  Yep... Ms. Parker had her arm around her waist, not unlike what one commenter described as, a tourist getting a photo taken with "Mickey Mouse or The Little Mermaid at Disneyland".

L.A.'s Mayor, Lu Parker, The Duchess & the Duke

For those of you who have no clue as to who Ms. Parker is, she is a local newswoman in Los Angeles.  To be fair, a lot of people get excited about meeting celebrities and want to appear as if they are the best of friends in photos.  This was neither the time or the place for it, and one would think she would have known better. 

Americans are looked upon as so informal and it translates many times into "disrespectful' (Mrs. Obama hugging the Queen?) But I am going to give Ms. Parker a pass on this one.  Why?  Who knows... maybe the champagne at the star-studded reception was flowing freely.  Add champagne and an empty stomach, to a photo op with real life royals and one can start enjoying things a bit too much.  Then again, maybe she though no one would notice.  Either way, I am in a forgiving mood this evening.  Well, forgiving of everyone but Casey Anthony.      

One-Armed Men, Knorks, the Civil War and Buried Folding Treasues

A military spoon, a long silver plate spoon and a matching long spoon which was buried for over a hundred years.

    June 2011 is taking its last breath, so I thought I should get this post up while I still have the time. 

   While June is traditionally the month to celebrate fathers, step-fathers, our grandfathers and those men in our lives who have made parenting easier for so many of us, 2011 also marked the 150 anniversary of the Civil War. 

   June 1861 in particular was important, as West Virginia was "born".  It seems that the residents of of Virginia's western counties did not wish to secede along with the rest of Virginia.  Thus, the western counties of Virginia were admitted into the Union as "West Virginia" on June 20, 1863. 

   Now... why my sudden fascination with the Civil War?  First off, there were only a few "civil" things about the war here in the U.S.  No war is ever civil,  for that matter.  The term "civil war" is an oxymoron.  Like "jumbo shrimp", "act naturally" or "books on tape", the phrase contradicts itself.  

   Also, having lived in Virginia once upon a time, and having sold on Ebay some Civil War relics like battlefield bullets found in Northern Virginia (little things that look like they are made of cement) for  a family member, I find the Civil War and its artifacts interesting.  While I know there were many causes contributing to the run up to the war, the issue of ending the abhorrent  practice of slavery was by far the most important reason in the mind of any civil and sane thinking person.  The sons, brothers and fathers who gave their lives and limbs to the cause of ending slavery are true heroes.  

   My last reason? Those men who lost their lives and limbs, along with how they ate during and after the war.  I may have found such a utensil.  I wound up with a new find that everyone seems to believe is a Civil War era relic.  I am not sure though, so I am posting it here to see if anyone has a clue as to its origins.  

   I found the odd folding fork and spoon a few months back.  I have looked all over for a patent or a mark and can find none.  I went through all of the patents of folding utensils from the mid to late 1800s and the early 1900s.  Nothing is like this one.  

   Many believe it to be Civil War era, from the metal and the design.  I have found some similar folding sets listed as "WWI military forks", but they are made of tin and much more simplistic in the design. The fork ends are just that; fork ends.  This fork end is more like a "knork", which is a half knife and half fork design.  The other folding utensils that are from WWI are also nothing like this one in color. 

   There was a fork designed for men who had lost an arm in the war.  The "One Armed Man Fork" was patented for Civil War veterans.  It was quite different, and not at all like the one created by Admiral Nelson of the British navy.  He designed a fork with which to eat after losing an arm in battle at Santa Cruz, Tenerife, in July of 1797.  The silver three-pronged fork has a separate steel blade attached along the side the tines by a screw. 

Admiral Nelson

A copy of a "Nelson Fork"

A Nelson Fork

Civil War Veteran with One Arm

   

Fork designed for a One Armed Man or Civil War Veteran

  










   






   
   

   
   


   

   My folding utensil set, unlike either of these shown, is of  an undetermined metal.  I have an "expert" on metals in the family who is usually really good at this sort of thing.  He has no clue as to what it is made  from without testing it, but I don't want to take any chances with it or ruin the patina.  My mother, who made jewelry as an off and on hobby for about 25 years, also is pretty good with metals. 

A variety of 19th & 20th Century "knorks" for pastry, pie and pickles, along with  modern one-armed dining knorks (with white plastic handles)- on the far right is a cheese knife

She is baffled as well.  I can't say for certain it was not originally silver plated, as silver polish did nothing.  But it is heavy.
 
   A few people suggested that if it was a Civil War era relic, it had been buried.  But I have a spoon which had been buried for over 100 years, and the color is different.  Maybe the soil type in the various states on the east coast and in the south would make a difference if it was Civil War period?  

   My spoon, that I know for a fact was buried for a hundred years or so, was dug up a few years ago here in Southern California at the Graber Olive House.  It  looks quite different in color.  The pipes at the Graber Olive House were put in when C.C. Graber was building his business and house in the late 1890s and early 1900s.  My son called one day and said, "I found an old spoon buried by the pipes we worked on today.  I saved it for you.  It's not in great condition, but you may like it."  He brought it over that evening after work and I was tickled pink.  I had a spoon just like it, which hadn't been buried under several feet of dirt for a century, and I take the set to talks that I do occasionally for kids, museums and such. 

   I am always surprised that so many people are really fascinated to find out what their flatware would look like to be buried for so long.  School kids, and their teachers especially, want to feel both of the spoons and really look closely at them.

    So here are the 3 items again.  The folding spoon is the one in question.  The unique fork end like a "knork" is what stumps flatware enthusiasts like myself.  Is it supposed to be a variation of a knife, fork and spoon combination folding mess utensil? 

Anyone out there got any info on this utensil?  Please let me know if you do.

The fork and spoon folds completely and is quite heavy.  Not only is the fork end different in design from WWI foldable utensils I have seen, but the bowl of the spoon end has a raised edge.

  

Did I Really Ask _________________ "What has _________ civility in _________?" !?!

An old fashioned Chocolate Muddler.  Is this a nun or a nurse?

These are the same photos as before, but now this is the "Mad Lib" Edition.  Upon receiving advice from my brother (Mr. Smarty Pants" attorney) that I remove some things in the original post, I thought I would just "Swiss cheese" the verbiage in it, in order to have lots of neutrality and plenty of empty bits, while paying homage to the late Larry Stern, who created "Mad Libs".  Anyone reading this can fill in the blanks.
    
So this happened...  My blog post, which was _____________ ________by now (________) is still not ready.  Long story short;  I was driving on the 60 freeway Tuesday, and was ___________ by a guy who looked to be drunk.  Getting ______________ was a real treat.  I feel like a pretzel.  

I actually asked, "What has happened to civility in the _______?" to the very nice highway patrolman who took __________ all of my _______.  A dumb question, that I know the answer to already.  This was after we had called 911.   Not only had this _________________ already _______, but ______, then he "flipped me the bird" before _________ the scene! 

What ______________!  So, here are more lovely silver pieces to look at while I return to bed to recover.

Sterling relish fork

Blackington gilded sterling scoop...

Since Father's Day is next week and in honor of my dad who is 86 years young , I'll post this too.  Dad has sported a mustache for most of my life.  Above is a left-handed mustache spoon, a sterling mustache comb & a mustache mug.  Happy Father's Day!

What Keeps me Busy in the World of Dining Etiquettetiquette

A Durgin strawberry fork... So beautiful!

I have gotten emails from followers, with pretty much the same question;  "Where are you?"  Thank you for your emails of concern, and as I have said in my replies, I have been here and have not forgotten about my blog.  I have been busy though, and will post more on etiquette in the next few days.  

For now however, I will post some pretty silver for my loyal followers (and anyone else who stops by) to view.  You have been so very patient and I have so much to catch up on...

A Towle "strawberry bowl" with a Durgin strawberry fork

An individual melon fork by John Cox in coin silver

Servers and lifters for sardines along, with a sardine serving "box"

Individual cheese serving fork. Paired with the "Mickey Mouse glove" plate... adorable!

Considering a New Career? Teaching Etiquette is Rewarding & Fun!

Hair Salon Etiquette Tips

There has been so much buzz in the news about hair these days.  Most of it good, most of it bad, but nothing like the shear madness Ms. Britney displayed a few years back.

The shear madness of Britney Spears...gone, but not forgotten

 Headlines talk about all the latest-

Who hated their wildly popular hairstyle from the 1990's?  Who cut their coveted and much  copied hair style?

The 1990's "Aniston"

Jen Aniston's new look

The "old" Justin vs the new

What hair styles, weaves and colors just didn't make the cut with the fashionista reporters doling out the latest and up-to-date critiques at all of the recent award shows? 

A picture says a thousand words ladies. Take a gander at these cautionary tales above on the left....


 Who had a hit with the song "Whip My Hair"? Then who had me in stitches when he comically covered "Whip My Hair" in such a hysterical fashion that the video went viral?

Willow Smith whipping her hair while whipping up a hit song

Bruce Springsteen sings back up to Jimmy Fallon's Neil Young impersonation

And who is channeling whom with their newest hair style, hair color or weave? Too many celebs  to show on this blog!

Talk of hair has become inescapable, especially around awards' season and as we move on into warmer weather of Spring & Summer.

Minding your manners while visiting a hair salon can be beneficial to you as well as your hairstylist. "Visiting a salon is not only an ego boost, but a relaxing experience." according to Sylvia Gebhart of the Gebhart International Hair Color Group at La Bella Day Spa and Salon in Upland California. I recently spoke with Sylvia for her advice when it comes to being the polite hair salon patron.

"Please don't wait until Thursday to get a Saturday appointment. Please call well in advance when you want to look your most fabulous for a special event. Fridays and Saturdays are very busy for stylists. Especially around the holidays." 

"If you are visiting your regular stylist but want a dramatic change, please call your stylist for a mini consult a few days in advance of your appointment and let him or her know what you have in mind.  The mini consult over the phone will allow your stylist to make any needed changes in the schedule that will enable you to get the look you want."

Tech gadgets are often in use in most salons and Sylvia says that it is really best that your iPad, cell phone or other electronic devices are put in a safe place while your stylist is applying hair color or anything else to your hair that could splash on to your device.  "The best time to use any tech gadgets in the salon is while your hair is processing or if you are under the dryer.  We don't want your personal gadgets damaged any more that you do!" 

Cancellations can offer the opportunity for someone else to be squeezed into a hectic schedule.  Sylvia advises, "If you need to cancel your appointment, please give at least 24 hours notice.  That way we can book someone else into that time slot."

Any last salon etiquette tips from Sylvia? "In our salon, we provide gowns for a reason. We want clients who are getting some sort of chemical process or color applied to their hair to change into a gown. This is to protect expensive clothes.  Just like tech gadgets, we do not want to see anything splashed where it shouldn't be.  If your salon doesn't provide a gown to change into, don't wear your favorite outfit in to see your stylist.  That way, when you leave, nothing that matters to you will be changed but your hair."

Watch Jimmy Fallon's parody (and dead on Neil Young impersonation) of "Whip My Hair"
 http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/neil-young-and-bruce-springsteen-whip-my-hair-111610/1260532/

New Etiquette Classes in Ontario for Spring!

 

The RSVP Institute is pleased to  offer an Advanced Manners Class at the Graber Olive House in Ontario, beginning Sunday, March 27th.   

The 4 classes for ages 5 -11 are from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.  
The 4 classes for ages 12 & up are from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
 

The fee is $70.00 and covers all foods and handouts, along with a bonus 5th class added, for any students who have to miss a Sunday class. 

Basic to Advanced Social and Dining Skills will be covered, prizes will be earned and the skills needed to foster self confidence are taught with smiles and fun. 

Please register by March 25th to secure a spot for your student! 

Call 909 923-5650 or email for more information and a registration form:mannersclass@gmail.com 

Checks or other payment can be mailed to: RSVP, 301 East Fourth Street, Ontario 91764