This week for Design Observer readers, I selected the most obscure category I could find: 19th Century Menu Covers. While I have curated just a few for your enjoyment, there are hundreds to view. Not only can you watch the advancement of printing techniques, but you can discover the advanced creativity of restaurant or special event menus during this particular period of time, the last half of the 19th century.
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.01_525.jpg)
DAILY MENU, BATTLE HOUSE, “MOBILE, AL.” 1857
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.02_525.jpg)
DAILY DINNER MENU, CRAWFORD HOUSE [at] [NEW ENGLAND, (STAGE STOP), 1866
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.03_525.jpg)
BREAKFAST MENU COVER, OAKLAND BEACH HOTEL [at] “WARWICK, RI” (HOTEL) 1880
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.04_525.jpg)
BREAKFAST [held by] KIARSARGE HOUSE [at] NORTH CONWAY, N.H. (HOTEL) 1880
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.05_525.jpg)
DINNER [held by] THE WENTWORTH [at] “NEWCASTLE, RI” (HOTEL) 1880
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.06_525.jpg)
ANNUAL DINNER [held by] NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK [at] DELMONICO (RESTAURANT) 1882
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.07_525.jpg)
DINNER [held by] MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY [at] SANTIAGO TO CIENFUEGOS (SS.) 1883
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.08_525.jpg)
(Detail, INSIDE PAGE) DINNER [held by] MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY [at] SANTIAGO TO CIENFUEGOS (SS.) 1883
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.09_525.jpg)
FOOTBALL DINNER,YORKSHIRE V. MAORIS [held by] STRAFFORD ARMS HOTEL [at] “WAKEFIELD,[ENGLAND]” (HOTEL) 1889
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.10_525.jpg)
DINNER [held by] DOWN TOWN ASSOCIATION, 1890
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.11_525.jpg)
(Detail, INSIDE PAGE) DINNER [held by] DOWN TOWN ASSOCIATION, 1890
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.12_525.jpg)
COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESS OF NEW YORK [held by] COMMITTEE OF THE COOKS AND PASTRY COOKS ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK [at] “MUSCHENHEIM’S, NEW YORK, NY” (REST) 1892
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.13_525.jpg)
ANNUAL BANQUET [held by] MERCHANTS’ CLUB [at] “HOTEL METROPOLE, PHILADELPHIA, PA” (HOT) 1895
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.14_525.jpg)
DINNER [held by] HOTEL MANHATTAN [at] NY (HOTEL) 1897
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.15_525.jpg)
ANNUAL BANQUET [held by] MASSACHUSETTS HOTEL ASSOCIATION [at] “BRUNSWICK, BOSTON, MA” (HOTEL) 1897
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.16_525.jpg)
BANQUET [held by] BANKERS CLUB OF DETROIT [at] “THE RUSSELL HOUSE, DETROIT, MICH” (HOTEL) 1898
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.17_525.jpg)
ANNUAL BANQUET IN HONOR OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMEN ELECT IN NY; [held by] BUSINESS MEN’S DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION OF NY [at] “HOTEL SAVOY, NY” (HOTEL) 1899
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.18_525.jpg)
31ST ANNUAL DINNER [held by] YALE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF PHILADELPHIA [at] “HOTEL BELLEVUE, [PHILADELPHIA, PA]” (HOTEL) 1899
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.19_525.jpg)
3RD ANNUAL CONVENTION [held by] NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PHOTO ENGRAVERS [at] “HOTEL VICTORY' PUT- IN- BAY, OHIO” (HOTEL) 1899
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections
![Nineteenth Century Menu Covers](/media/images/02.02.14.20_525.jpg)
DINNER [held by] HAMBURG-AMERICA LINIE [at] EN ROUTE STEAMER AUGUSTE VICTORIA (SS) 1899
The Buttolph Collection of Menus
New York Public Library Digital Collections