Saturday, October 19, 2013

Feeling Peckish? How about a Sandwich???

While searching for some show inventory recently,  I came across some "railway companions.
One good part of antiquing in England for so many years was the quality and originality of items we were able to buy-- goods that you just do not see in America.

This Railway Companion is a leather covered box that contains a blown glass flask and fitted stopper that serves as a cup.  Train travelers  could fill the flask with their favourite tipple, and the traveler could "shortly be arriving at your destination" totally schnookered.

Feeling a bit "peckish"????  How about a sandwich for your train ride?  To this day, the British LOVE their sandwiches.  They are BETTER than American sandwiches.  Really.  Is it because they are always cut on the diagonal?  Or that they smear butter on the bread before putting on the contents and that keeps them from getting soggy?  Or how about the fillings?  On our trip earlier this year, I had a "coronation chicken sandwich.:  Total yum--chicken, curry, carrots. raisins and nuts.  On granary bread. 
These sandwiches could not just go in  grubby tupperware.  Train riders in Victorian and Edwardian times needed a purpose made sandwich box.  This example is English leather and contains a silverplate sandwich box and guess what?  Another flask.
It also has straps to allow the owner to use it when riding a horse and the desire for a picnic comes upon you in the woods.

Nope.  Not for sale.  When are we likely to see these again???

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