I won’t be in England for a few weeks, so you can imagine how happy I was this morning when our London manager Cristina emailed me from the Queen’s Gallery with this magnificent email. I am sure by time I arrive in London in a few weeks, the large chargers would have been all gone. I am a chirping bird this morning.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
Our family has had a home in St. James’s for years, and our daily walks have taken us up St. James’s St and down Piccadilly past all our favorite shops and cafes. Our first stop is always at Fortnum and Mason to enjoy the amazing windows; I think they are the most artistic and enjoyable windows in London. While standing in front of the windows debating whether to buy some of my favorite jellies and brown sugar candies, the clock starts its sequence. When the clock starts to strike the bell, passersby stop and listen. This is the routine on Piccadilly every hour, every day since 1964. Let me tell you a bit about this clock.
In 1705 Hugh Mason had a small shop in St James’s Market and rented his spare room to William Mason, a footman in Queen Anne’s household. The Royal Family insisted upon having new candles every night so the enterprising footman sold the half-used wax that was left over. The gentlemen went into business together and set up a shop called Fortnum and Mason in 1707 in Piccadilly. With Fortnum using his palace connections the store prospered and has been on Piccadilly for over 300 years.
In 1964 Fortnum and Mason added the ornate clock over their front entrance on Piccadilly. The eighteen bells chime every 15 minutes and on the hour, doors open and four foot high figures of Mr. Fortnum and Mr. Mason appear. They bow to each other, check standards, turn around and go back inside.
A point of interest: the bells were made at the Whitechapel Bell Foundry who also produced Big Ben and the original Liberty Bell. May I post a few images showing the Fortnum and Mason clock at its different stages.
The clock doors open:
Mr. Fortnum and Mr. Mason step forward;
Mr. Fortnum and Mr. Mason bow and go back inside:
The clock doors closes:
What a fun diversion on Piccadilly St.
Last week, I had dinner with my friend June Gibson who is joining us on our Queen Mary II passage from New York to Southampton in May. I asked June what she was particularly looking forward to. Her answer: BROWN SUGAR AND MOLASSES CANDY FROM FORTNUM AND MASON.
GREAT FUN!
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
As we get older, we pretend that we love birthdays with all our friends. I love being with my friends, and I am a very social person. But, really, birthdays can be awkward. I get the usual ties, slippers, bathrobes, school photos from my grandchildren, and I love all of that. But on the rare occasion, the perfect gift brings a big smile. I spent my recent 68th birthday in London at a Brazilian restaurant which was fantastic. When I arrived home recently, there were a few presents on my desk from local friends. One gift from my friend Sue Wilkerson was perfect. I thought I would post an image of this gift, and I know other Anglophiles will understand why this is one of those perfect birthday presents. I smiled from ear to ear.
Thank you, Sue Wilkerson, for this fun tray. It will be the topic of conversation at every patio party next summer.
Nice.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
Living in a large house where all the cabinets are full and the walls are covered, I have to think “small” when I think of small gifts to bring home. I wander through the Queen’s Gallery over and over during a longer stay in London because it gives me the time I need to really learn about the items which the Queen has placed on display. I have to say that the Royal Collection contains the best of the best–without doubt. When I have reached my fill, I spend some time in the gift shop which is attached to the gallery. I have a friend who collects the pin boxes, so that is a errand I like to take care of. While I am there, I gather for myself a few of the small items the Royal Collection has designed for visitors.
I have taken a photo of some of the items which are at the gallery now. There is the William and Catherine pin box–which are sold out, unfortunately. Then there is the small William and Catherine miniature mug–again unfortunately sold out but available through mail order. The green pin dish is the 2010 pin dish which has the Queen Alexandra green silk in the Green Drawing Room as its inspiration. The two small bowls are very beautiful. The light blue bowl has the Great Exhibition Minton Service as its source; the Queen purchased the service at the Great Exhibition in 1851. The lavender and blue bowl follows the pattern from the Great Exhibition Dinner Service which Queen Victoria had made for the Palace to celebrate the Prince Consort’s great achievement: The Great Exhibition. The Queen ended up with two very large dinner services from the time of this great event, and they are often used in royal service today.
Every year, the Royal Collection has a new series for the collectors. The funds go toward the maintenance of the Royal Collection; can you image the cost of keeping that immense collection in pristine condition. Amazing. The revenue from the Queen’s Gallery and the Gift Shop at Windsor Castle save the British taxpayer from suffering the costs of preserving the greatest collection of art in the world.
Everyone is happy this way. Nice.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
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