A to Z Anthology

As the Society no longer produces newsletters, we will post occasional items of interest here.
Topics will be chosen at random.
Your contributions are welcome.

W is for Wotever

Sending us the photo on the left, a correspondent says: "I have two of these little doo-dads but I have no idea what they were used for. Given their size, 4 inches in diameter, I'm guessing they might have been coasters (Those things you place your drink on so as not to damage the wood of a nice table.)"

The pattern shown is "Venetian Scene". No clues there. However, there are sets of four of these items depicting the card suits of clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades, so maybe bridge players used them as coasters or possibly ashtrays. Otherwise they could be pin dishes, butter pats... wotever (as modern yoof would say).

As we seem to be multi-tasking, we draw your attention to the box on the right. It bears the logo of the Bentley motor company. An owner of this luxury car may well have used the box for cigarettes. Her husband may have kept his cufflinks and tie pins in it.

Another quality name - "H is for Harrods" - will help you to drive further into the logosphere.

Warning - smoking can seriously damage your wealth.
The box sold for over 300 GBP at Bonhams in 2010.

Want more Alphabet Soup?
Anyone for Second Helpings?
Indulge in our Potage à Trois