'HOW TO SET THE TABLE FOR EVERY OCCASION' BY S.S.ADAMS, 1ST ED., HB, ILL, LINENS

Description

FEATURED:  A very scarce and fascinating book on Early 20th Century Entertaining at home, HOW TO SET THE TABLE FOR EVERY OCCASION,  using DERRYVALE IRISH LINENS, written in 1918 by SARA SWAIN ADAMS, who offered detailed instructions on caring for those beautiful Irish linen textiles and detailed instructions on table service, decorations to use for various occasions, and foods to serve at various meals in one's home- provided you had the staff available to perform the table service!  Of course the basic throughout this charming, very interesting slice of the Good Life in America is their table linen product, the whys and wherefors of using Derryvale linens daily and for all occasions, with B&W photos throughout the book showing their products with sizes, information and illustrations of place settings to use at different meals.  The author gives detailed information as to how the servants are literally to serve the different courses, so this is also somewhat of an informal training manual for anyone who only recently was able to have maids and servants for these situations; it should be noted that such service is still correct, but only used in more formal occasions today, and usually by a catering staff.  And Ms. Adams also offers us pointers on decorating the table and dining room for holidays & special times that are really smart and make sense!  We were fascinated with this book, from its background information on the Flax industry and the manufacture of Linen fabric, to the detailed care of your linen textiles, how to treat issues, store them, and properly display them.  In a world of throwaway plastic & polyester tablecloths which last perhaps for several months and then get tossed, these beautiful Irish pure linens are still a joy to appreciate and use, and will last at least one lifetime, if not more, and this book will give you all the reasons why you should indulge in such lovely things and enjoy your meals on the best of the best ever made, as we do daily with ours, handed down from our grandmothers and used all the time with great pleasure and style.  This is the book to have if you own great linen textiles, and would like to entertain with a unique, elegant style,written over one hundred years ago, and still The book to have on hand in your home!
SARA SWAIN ADAMS, wife of Albert C. Adams, the head of the American Division of Derryvale Linens and the son of the family-owned business based in Belfast, Ireland, was a magazine and advertising copywriter who wrote for the "Country Gentleman" magazine, and wrote this book to assist her husband's family business in selling their textiles in America.  This book was sold to Derryvale dealers and department stores, such as the May Company, Cleveland, Ohio, who could offer it to customers if they bought Derryvale linens. Derryvale was the first linen company to register a trademark on their products, also guarenteed satisfaction with their products, and had an aggressive advertising campaign in America.  Their linens are very collectible today, and are as wonderful now as they were over 100 years ago!  Ms. Adams, on an interesting side note, was the daughter of a woman who got a Harvard degree in 1893, taught English at Stanford, and worked as an editor and writer for the Chicago Post Literary Review- independent women with careers in an era when that did not occur very often!  This book appears to be her only book, but we believe she had a great deal to do with the advertising campaigns of Derryvale in the US.
MEASURES:  7 inches X 10 1/8 inches, with charming illustrations on both covers, lots of photos and diagrams inside, with detailed instructions on table settings and service in one's home, written in a wonderful, clear, relaxed style that makes for a great read about American culture in the early 20th Century. We have included in our photos an ad for Derryvale Linens and this book from the Dry Goods Publishing Company, 1918, when the book came out, for the buyer's reference.   A great book with technically correct advice on caring for linen textiles today,  and for having a beautifully set table in your home as well.  In very good condition, and will last as long as its linen textiles that it promotes, so you can hand down your linens collection with this book to a favorite person. and know all will be well-cared for and used for another generation, or two!  Create your own unique style and have the dinner parties everyone wants to come to!
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