[HATZFELDT-WILDENBURG (Prince Franz E.J.G.V., 1853-1910, son of Alfred, (1825-1911, 1st Fürst), and Franz' wife Princess Claire, (1860-1928, née Huntington, of Detroit)]

Butler's book of handwritten menus for 'Déjeuner' and 'Diner' in the Dining Room, and for 'Diner' in the Steward's Room and the Servants' Hall, the first in French, the last two in English, and occasionally 'Breakfast' after a large dinner party, with the space for the number of covers, from 1 to 22, often filled in, occasional corrections in pencil and deletions when only 1 or 2 are dining, each page with a printed heading "Diner du ....190" and then columns for "Dining Room", "Steward's Room" and "Servant's Hall", crimson crushed morocco, marbled end papers, roll tooled dentelles and binders' label of A. Webster, 43 Dover Street, London, 'Prince Hatzfeldt' gilt on upper cover, 212 sides 9" x 11", n.p. [London], 1st November 1904 - 31st May binding a little rubbed, closed tear on 8th December 1904 without loss

Very interesting as a continuous record. The meals are substantial and varied, but not ostentatious. Dinner has usually about 7 items, rising to 9 or 10 on big occasions such as 18th - 20th November 1904, with lunch on Saturday 19th "pour la chasse".
The steward's and servants'are simply stated, commonly a roast or joint, with 'veg' and 'sweet', and 'fish' as an alternative on Fridays, the occasional pheasant, rabbit or duck, and a goose at New Year.
The Wildenburg branch of the Hatzfeldts was well known in London - Alfred's brother Count (Melchior Gustav) Paul, 1831-1901, had been German Ambassador from 1885 and a friend of the Prince of Wales, and Paul's son Count Hermann (Karl Hubert) (1867-1941) was also currently at the embassy, succeeding his uncle Alfred as 2nd Fürst in 1911. Franz and Claire were married in London on 28th October 1889. Franz won the Grand National in 1906 with Ascetic's Silver.

Item Date:  1905

Stock No:  52672      £275

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