The Wisdom of Butlers Past

by Steven Ferry

Part 17 – PACKING AWAY

Another duty for the butler and his staff two hundred years ago was the covering of paintings and glass/mirrors during the summer, while the principals were not in residence. The key concern seems to have been not damaging the walls with the covers, for which paper being placed between the cover and wall was the preferred solution. The same was done for the curtains, with paper doubled up and attached to the inner lining of the curtain, to which the covers were then attached.

When it comes to packing and shipping glass or china, the suggestion was to place it in boxes packed with straw, heaviest items at the bottom, with the straw dampened to prevent the objects moving about the box during transit. Thank goodness for bubble wrap and peanuts—can’t imagine what damp (and rough) straw does to china!

Extracted from the 1823 book, The Footman’s Directory and Butler’s Remembrancer, re-published in hardback by Pryor Publications.

You may obtain your discounted copy (with free s&h) by emailing the publisher: Mr. Pryor (alanATpryor-publications.co.uk).

The Institute is dedicated to raising service standards by broadly disseminating the mindset and superior service expertise of that time-honored, quintessential service provider, the British Butler, updated with modern people skills, and adapted to the needs of modern employers and guests in staffed homes, luxury hotels, resorts, spas, retirement communities, jets, yachts & cruise ships around the world.