Miss Frank E. Buttolph Menu Collection 1890-1904 – Vintage Menu Art

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More than a hundred years ago, an eccentric American lady called Miss Frank E Buttolph sent a letter of correspondence to the British Museum in London. The letter, dated 1902, inquired whether the respected British institution had received the gift Miss Buttolph sent.

It was a menu card from the Millenary Banquet for King Alfred, held the previous year at Delmonico’s in New York.

The gift was not entirely an altruistic gesture. Her donation, she hoped, would smooth the way to British Museum staff helping her acquire two copies of the menu for King Edward VII’s coronation, due to be held in August that year.

Miss Buttolph, of course, is widely regarded as the world’s pre-eminent menu collector. The bulk of her collection of over 25,000 menus is held at the New York Public Library. She wrote letters to people and to institutions all over the world to solicit menus for her collection and wooed the British Library in a very determined manner. As a result, the British Library now holds a fascinating collection of menus donated by Miss Buttolph as she negotiated with the staff. The menus and events cards are delicately held together in four large, leather-bound volumes. Ranging from ornately decorated hardbound embossed menus to much plainer railroad dining-car menus, the collection spans the years 1890-1904.

This is the first time these menus have ever been reproduced and Love Menu Art is proud to be partnering with the British Library to bring them to a global audience. And, we and the British Library have been unable to find out if Miss Buttolph ever got hold of those precious Coronation menus.

Testimonials

Quick shipping and great packaging. I love the old school Tiki menus and cover art. I laminate and use as placemats for Tiki parties. Everyone's placemat is different and my guests enjoy exploring them, not to mention trying to find the mate to their placemat.

Oren

I was soooo happy to get this and my precious Dad was the original head chef and opened it with Walt. I was only 5 when it opened and I grew up in Seal Beach and I have such fun happy memories especially with my Dad at the Wharf.

Norene

I am thrilled your company provides these as I purchased some while in LA. Thoroughly enjoy that your company is reproducing these. Hard to believe how much one was served for a $1.50 a person. Too bad those aren’t the prices today!

Gail

Very pleased and surprised at great quality of menu. Exactly what I had hoped for. Arrived promptly in just a few days. Thank you!

John

This company has a wonderful/very interesting selection of prints- definitely worth looking up online! A wide variety of topics, and interesting "back stories" on everything they make. I visited a booth "in person" at the L.A. Farmer's Market with a very helpful vendor, and when back home and getting the print framed for myself I contacted the company to order another one for a cat loving friend! Shipping was reasonable/sent the next day and arrived safely at my friend's house. Keeping their info for future purchases as there's something for everyone- and really appreciated the great service!

Barbara

The image I purchased was one my boss was looking for so I did a Google image search and up popped this 1940s vintage menu art. I never would’ve found it anywhere else. Easy to find easy to purchase excellent product and service

NH

Fast shipping, clear prints and good packaging!

Olivia

I love it. Worked for Continental Airlines in the late 70’s early 80’s, so the print brings back many good memories.

Anita

I want to share with you the finished framing of this delightful menu from The Georgian Room at the Olympic Hotel in Seattle. This menu gives me great delight for so many reasons. I am a third generation Seattleite. My high school senior prom was held at The Olympic. Over the decades, I have been to The Georgian Room for both cocktails and dinner. The Olympic Hotel is truly the grande dame of hotels in Seattle. And, I’m a lifelong swimmer, swimming in local pools, lakes and salt water. Thanks for creating such an original business.

Amy

Very pleased and surprised at great quality of menu. Exactly what I had hoped for. Arrived promptly in just a few days. Thank you!

John

This company has a wonderful/very interesting selection of prints- definitely worth looking up online! A wide variety of topics, and interesting "back stories" on everything they make. I visited a booth "in person" at the L.A. Farmer's Market with a very helpful vendor, and when back home and getting the print framed for myself I contacted the company to order another one for a cat loving friend! Shipping was reasonable/sent the next day and arrived safely at my friend's house. Keeping their info for future purchases as there's something for everyone- and really appreciated the great service!

Barbara

Born and raised in Vegas and now in Detroit. Being able to enjoy these menus is amazing. Put eight up in my dining room in matted frames. I couldn't be more impressed with them.

G.J.

Loved the Katz Menu! Our grandson lives in view of the old Katz Dug Store I grew up going to in the 1950s and 1960s. We framed it behind glass with the menu behind glass on the frame back. He's going to love it for his birthday! The quality and color are bright and eye catching! Also found the history included very interesting! Thank you !

B.K.

I gifted five of your menus to five different friends during the holiday season. I can't tell you how pleased each of the recipients were to receive the menus. So many fun memories were awakened. So much joy was shared. Good luck with your unique business.

Rebecca

Framed this for one of my wife’s Christmas gifts. She absolutely loves it. I used a frame with no mat and it turned out super nice.

Bob