{"product_id":"the-society-of-old-friends-nineteenth-annual-dinner-programme-the-society-of-old-friends","title":"The Society of Old Friends Nineteenth Annual Dinner Programme, The Society of Old Friends","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication\u003c\/strong\u003e: London, The Society of Old Friends, 1928\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormatting\u003c\/strong\u003e: 8vo, pp. [8].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e: Very Good. The paper wrappers remain remarkably crisp and well-preserved for an ephemeral item of this vintage, displaying only light, scattered foxing primarily confined to the outer covers. The edges show negligible wear, avoiding the creases and chipping common to such fragile survival items, and the central fold remains sharp and completely intact. Internally, the pages are exceptionally clean and bright, with the intricate cover etching and the handsome internal bookplate retaining deep, striking contrast without any fading. A very tidy, structurally sound example of a delicate historical piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e: This original menu and programme was produced for the Nineteenth Annual Dinner of The Society of Old Friends, held at the Café Monico in London on Friday, November 30th, 1928. The Society, founded in 1909 by a convivial group of booksellers, publishers, and stationers, hosted distinguished figures from the literary and business worlds to celebrate their fellowship. The Guest of Honour for this evening was Mr. L. G. Sloan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe programme is beautifully adorned with an inset etching of Venice to the front cover and features an ornate 'Ex Libris' bookplate illustration of the Society to the inner flap, complete with their motto, \"Forsake Not An Old Friend.\" The internal pages list a lavish multi-course menu, the schedule of toasts, and an impressive roll call of past society guests, including H.G. Wells, John Buchan, and Ian Hay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt bears a neat, unobtrusive contemporary ownership signature (J. H. Gay) in pencil to the inner rear wrapper. Ephemeral items from the Society's early decades are exceptionally scarce on the open market, as they were printed in strictly limited numbers solely for the evening's attendees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA remarkable and exceptionally scarce piece of 1920s publishing ephemera, this original menu and programme from The Society of Old Friends' 1928 Annual Dinner captures the convivial spirit of early 20th-century British bookselling. Hosted at London's Café Monico with President Frank House presiding, the elegant programme features a multi-course banquet menu, historic society details, and fine inset illustrations. A wonderful survival for collectors of dining ephemera, book-trade history, or rare societal menus.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54647386341715,"sku":"5220","price":125.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260816_201413.jpg?v=1787302072","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/the-society-of-old-friends-nineteenth-annual-dinner-programme-the-society-of-old-friends","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}