Above is a rare menu card for the Peacock Hotel Rowsley dated 18th July 1951. It is interesting to note that dinner cost seven shillings and sixpence. Nationally, rationing did not end until 4th July 1954 and as a result, hotels were expected to comply with dining regulations. “Meals were limited to three courses; only one component dish could contain fish or game or poultry…..The maximum price of a meal was 5 shillings…. Extra charges (were) allowed for cabaret shows and luxury hotels.” (Wikipedia). Noting the crossed out trout on the day possibly the restaurant had sold out, had delivery issues or maybe this particular diner didn’t fancy it! I am intrigued that “Anchovies on Toast” was offered as a last course; perhaps it was “Gentleman’s Relish.”
At this time rationing was a hot topic. The 1950 general election, held 23rd February, had been fought largely on the issue of rationing. The Conservative Party campaigned on a manifesto of ending rationing as quickly as possible. The Labour Party argued for the continuation of rationing indefinitely. Labour was returned with a slim majority of 5 seats. Within weeks of the date of this menu card, another general election was held, 25 October 1951 which the Conservatives won with a 17 seat majority.
We suspect that menu cards such as these were printed and supplied by Royal Crown Derby as a means of advertising. Some of the grander establishments, such as the Midland Hotel in Derby, are reported to have had a display cabinet, stocked with Royal Crown Derby, placed somewhere near the foyer, to tempt clientele to purchase a souvenir of their visit.
This is an image of the hotel on a postcard, which from the postage paid (2d) dates it from between 1940-57.
The then chairman of Royal Crown Derby Harold Taylor Robinson, started his career in the business as a travelling salesman, and from time to time would escape from the works, accompanied by his driver Albert Askey, to deliver china to restock the hotel cabinets. The Peacock at Rowsley was a favourite destination.
These might have sold quite well!
Harold Taylor Robinson was also an enthusiastic visitor of a hotel in LLangollen, probably the Hand Hotel. On these occasions he would enjoy a long weekend break with wife and friends and deliver a car boot full of china to make the trip worthwhile. This appeared to constitute the family holiday!
This slightly smaller version for the Clarendon Hotel is blank and therefore unfortunately undated. It includes an invitation to visit the factory showrooms.
This image of the Hotel is taken from a postcard dated 30th September 1904
Below is a link to a fabulous photograph of the Hotel taken at around the same time.
https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/catalogue_wow/leamington-spa-clarendon-hotel
Royal Crown Derby also produced menu stands, possibly used to display the menu on the tables.
Some establishments, for example Ranbys Cafe in Derby, used Royal Crown Derby (Pattern A713) as every day china. Others had china specially produced - see the ware made for the Falcon Hotel, Stratford on the “UK Commissions and Second World War Memorabilia” page.
Unlike the Peacock Hotel, which remains very much in business, the Clarendon Hotel closed and some 18 years ago was reportedly being converted into offices.
We think that the Seacroft Hotel in Skegness also had a sales cabinet. Do you have any examples of Royal Crown Derby menu cards? If so we would love to include images.
John and Val Robinson February 2020
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationing_in_the_United_Kingdom
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/halcyon-london-hotels-and-the-second-world-war/