Buffet Collection

Quick Lunch and Snack Bar at Paddington Station, 1936
An interior view of Paddington station showing a busy snack bar, which probably opened soon after the modernisation of the station in the 1930s

GWR Buffet Car, c1930s

GWR Buffet Car, c1938

Buffet Car from the 1930s

Spanish Matador Buffet
A Spanish matador waits in front of a buffet, while the chef dishes up and a man in a suit swigs wine from a porron! Date: 1960s

Buffet Car No 9631, c1934
GWR Publicity photograph Built 1934 to diagram H41. Currently on display at STEAM Museum of the GWR, Swindon

Buffet Car No 9631, c1934
Built 1934 to diagram H41. Currently on display at STEAM Museum of the GWR, Swindon

Soldiers and Sailors Buffet at Paddington Station, 1919
A shot capturing the last servicemen to be offered refreshments at the Soldiers and Sailors Free Buffet at Paddington Station on 28th June 1919

Railway Buffet, Prague
Das CAFEHAUS in Prague railway station Date: 1846

Coronation Pageantry of the Past (colour litho)
5236297 Coronation Pageantry of the Past (colour litho) by Forestier, Amedee (1854-1930) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Coronation Pageantry of the Past)

Esther feasts with the king, by Tissot - Bible
3783490 Esther feasts with the king, by Tissot - Bible by Tissot, James Jacques Joseph (1836-1902) (after); (add.info.: Esther feasts with the king by J James Tissot)

Commencement of the Hull, Barnsley, and West Riding Railway and Dock (engraving)
1590204 Commencement of the Hull, Barnsley, and West Riding Railway and Dock (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Commencement of the Hull, Barnsley)

Marriage of Alexander the Great and Stateira II in Susa, Persia, 324 BC (engraving)
7157369 Marriage of Alexander the Great and Stateira II in Susa, Persia, 324 BC (engraving) by German School

Advert for Maple & Co furniture 1893
Selection of oak furnishing for 1893. Date: 1893

Coton End Infants enjoy their school Christmas party, Warwick. 15th December 1970

Seven year old Jeremy Atkin played some of Mozarts early works at a festival hall Reception on the harpsichord made in the reign of King Charles I

Tabletop of Platters and Bowls of Food
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A Japanese banquet at a Tea-House (b/w photo)
8625213 A Japanese banquet at a Tea-House (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Japanese banquet at a Tea-House)

Charles II of England, c.1910 (print)
7293336 Charles II of England, c.1910 (print); (add.info.: Food and beverage. King Charles II of England knighting a loin of beef, XVIIth cent)

A 17th century banquet. (print)
7419957 A 17th century banquet. (print); (add.info.: A 17th century banquet. This official dinner celebrated the signing of the Peace of Westphalia, September 25, 1649)

Preparation of a banquet: illustration of a poem by the Persian poet Hafez (Hafiz Shirazi) (mid-14th century)
AIS5335290 Preparation of a banquet: illustration of a poem by the Persian poet Hafez (Hafiz Shirazi) (mid-14th century), from a manuscript (damascus, Syria) (miniature); Narodni Muzej, Belgrade

French men's costumes of the late 15th century, 1889 (chromolithograph)
5912640 French men's costumes of the late 15th century, 1889 (chromolithograph); (add.info.: French men's costumes of the late 15th century)

Embroidered Walnut Armchair, c.1685 (wood, embroidery)
7141198 Embroidered Walnut Armchair, c.1685 (wood, embroidery); Parham House, West Sussex, UK; (add.info.: Birds, foliage and animals decorate the seat, while a formal banqueting scene)

Artistic sugar work by Paul Laurent: A basket for the buffet (b/w photo)
8652255 Artistic sugar work by Paul Laurent: A basket for the buffet (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A basket for the buffet)

Artistic sugar work by Paul Laurent: Basket for the buffet (b/w photo)
8652248 Artistic sugar work by Paul Laurent: Basket for the buffet (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Basket for the buffet)

A temporary bridge across the canal of the Redeemer, Redentore (engraving)
8651108 A temporary bridge across the canal of the Redeemer, Redentore (engraving) by Zezzos

Death of Sertorius at the Banquet (engraving)
8658571 Death of Sertorius at the Banquet (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Death of Sertorius at the Banquet)

Mixed spa bathing with feasting and music (woodcut)
8663772 Mixed spa bathing with feasting and music (woodcut) by German School, (16th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mixed spa bathing with feasting and music, 1519)

The Poor Invited to the Feast (engraving)
8633834 The Poor Invited to the Feast (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Poor Invited to the Feast)

The Chimneypiece of the Banqueting Room, Croome Court (b/w photo)
8639462 The Chimneypiece of the Banqueting Room, Croome Court (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Chimneypiece of the Banqueting Room)

Scenes from the Gospels, 10th Century (colour litho)
8672844 Scenes from the Gospels, 10th Century (colour litho) by German school, (10th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Scenes from the Gospels)

Banquet of the Highland Society, Edinburgh (engraving)
8676435 Banquet of the Highland Society, Edinburgh (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Banquet of the Highland Society, Bonnington Park, Edinburgh)

Banquet for General Sir Archdale Wilson at the Oriental Club, London (engraving)
8676396 Banquet for General Sir Archdale Wilson at the Oriental Club, London (engraving) by English School

The rich man's feast and the poor man's lamb (litho)
8676061 The rich man's feast and the poor man's lamb (litho) by Rhead, Louis John (1857-1926); Private Collection; (add.info.: The rich man's feast and the poor man's lamb)

Plans of the New Hotel, Royal and Buffet, Royal Albert Dock (litho)
8667728 Plans of the New Hotel, Royal and Buffet, Royal Albert Dock (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Plans of the New Hotel, Royal and Buffet)

France, Champagne-Ardenne, Marne (51)
LUX4711694 France, Champagne-Ardenne, Marne (51), Epernay: Un bas relief by Gustave Navlet (1832-1915) represents a feast with champagne in the 8th century, 1883; (add.info.: France)

Banquet at San Sebastian, 1900
3481009 Banquet at San Sebastian, 1900; (add.info.: Banquet at San Sebastian)

Regency gentlemen dining with travelling salesmen at a tradesmen's hotel in Cheltenham
FLO4619221 Regency gentlemen dining with travelling salesmen at a tradesmen's hotel in Cheltenham. The Bagmens Banquet at the Bell Inn Cheltenham

Banquet. 11th century (chromolithograph after English Psalter)
537703 Banquet. 11th century (chromolithograph after English Psalter); Universal History Archive/UIG

Page from Useful Artistic Furniture, c.1900 (engraving)
2972959 Page from Useful Artistic Furniture, c.1900 (engraving) by English School, (20th century); The Geffrye Museum of the Home, London, UK; (add.info.: Useful Artistic Furniture)

View of the great banquet given by the provosts of the merchants
AIS5371371 View of the great banquet given by the provosts of the merchants and aldermen in honour of the birth of the dauphin Louis-Ferdinand of France, the eldest son of Louis XV, King of France

The marriage in Cana, chromolithograph from a home bible, 1870
UIG5413226 The marriage in Cana, chromolithograph from a home bible, 1870; UIG

French costumes of the 15th century, 1889 (chromolithograph)
5912636 French costumes of the 15th century, 1889 (chromolithograph); (add.info.: French costumes of the late 15th century)

Fox Terriers: "Buffet, " "Bristles" and "Bloom"
5856397 Fox Terriers: "Buffet, " "Bristles" and "Bloom"; (add.info.: Fox Terriers: "Buffet)

Cathedral (La Seo, Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza)
7209765 Cathedral (La Seo, Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza). The tapestry museum. Flemish tapestry

Cathedral (La Seo, Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza)
7209761 Cathedral (La Seo, Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza). The tapestry museum. Flemish tapestry

Embroidered Walnut Armchair Detail, c. 1685 (embroidery)
7141205 Embroidered Walnut Armchair Detail, c

Page from William Caxton's edition of the prologue of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales
3329855 Page from William Caxton's edition of the prologue of Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales'; (add.info)

The Shepherd's Calendar, 1848
3480245 The Shepherd's Calendar, 1848; (add.info.: Farmer watching his pigs enjoy a feast of acorns. Illustration for October for John Clare's Shepherd's Calendar')

Auxerre Cathedral. Stained glass. Wedding at Cana. Auxerre cathedral (stained glass)
8711282 Auxerre Cathedral. Stained glass. Wedding at Cana. Auxerre cathedral (stained glass); (add.info.: Auxerre Cathedral. Stained glass. Marriage at Cana. Auxerre)

Banquet to Queen Victoria in the Town Hall, Birmingham (engraving)
8676428 Banquet to Queen Victoria in the Town Hall, Birmingham (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Banquet to Queen Victoria in the Town Hall, Birmingham)

Celebrations for the end of the Franco-Austrian War, Paris (engraving)
8676938 Celebrations for the end of the Franco-Austrian War, Paris (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Celebrations for the end of the Franco-Austrian War)

William Shakespeare: The Life of Timon of Athens, Act III, Scene 6 (litho)
8648405 William Shakespeare: The Life of Timon of Athens, Act III, Scene 6 (litho) by Sullivan, Edmund Joseph (1869-1933) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Life of Timon of Athens)

The Banqueting Room, Croome Court, Worcestershire (b/w photo)
8639463 The Banqueting Room, Croome Court, Worcestershire (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Banqueting Room, Croome Court, Worcestershire)

Ready for a Banquet, The Crown Room at the Connaught Rooms, London (colour photo)
8628306 Ready for a Banquet, The Crown Room at the Connaught Rooms, London (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ready for a Banquet)

Page from The Bible Emblem Anniversary Book (colour litho)
8630754 Page from The Bible Emblem Anniversary Book (colour litho) by Foster

Do You Know: Why "beefeaters"? (colour litho)
8668123 Do You Know: Why "beefeaters"? (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Why "beefeaters")

Artistic sugar work by Paul Laurent: A spring-time basket for the buffet (b/w photo)
8652257 Artistic sugar work by Paul Laurent: A spring-time basket for the buffet (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Ancient Greek banquet (engraving)
8635051 Ancient Greek banquet (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ancient Greek banquet. Illustration from Hellas)

Page from Useful Artistic Furniture, c.1900 (coloured engraving)
2972958 Page from Useful Artistic Furniture, c.1900 (coloured engraving) by English School, (20th century); The Geffrye Museum of the Home, London, UK; (add.info.: Useful Artistic Furniture)

English gentleman paying the bill in a Parisian restaurant
1000902 English gentleman paying the bill in a Parisian restaurant, after a work by Queverdo, 1815

The transformation of water into wine at the Marriage at Cana, c1920 (stained glass)
8714216 The transformation of water into wine at the Marriage at Cana, c1920 (stained glass) by Mayer, Franz (1848-1926); (add.info.: Stained Glass built 1920s. Glass by Franz Mayer Germany)

Cathedral (La Seo, Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza)
7209766 Cathedral (La Seo, Catedral del Salvador de Zaragoza). The tapestry museum. Flemish tapestry

A peacock being served at a state banquet
5311811 A peacock being served at a state banquet; (add.info.: Woodblock engraving depicting a peacock being served at a state banquet. Dated 16th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

Annual dinner of the Royal Humane Society at Freemason's Hall
FLO4669612 Annual dinner of the Royal Humane Society at Freemason's Hall

Farewell banquet for Dr David Livingstone, Freemasons Hall, London (engraving)
8676287 Farewell banquet for Dr David Livingstone, Freemasons Hall, London (engraving) by English School

The return of the Astaires (b/w photo)
8676214 The return of the Astaires (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The return of the Astaires)

Banquet in the house of a patrician Roman (engraving)
8635723 Banquet in the house of a patrician Roman (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Banquet in the house of a patrician Roman)

Preparations for an ancient Greek banquet (engraving)
8635050 Preparations for an ancient Greek banquet (engraving) by German School, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Preparations for an ancient Greek banquet)

Banquet in the Exchange Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire (engraving)
8676539 Banquet in the Exchange Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Banquet in the Exchange Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire)

Waterloo Banqueting Hall, Windsor Castle (engraving)
8676311 Waterloo Banqueting Hall, Windsor Castle (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Waterloo Banqueting Hall, Windsor Castle)

Civic enjoyments (engraving)
8642706 Civic enjoyments (engraving) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Civic enjoyments)

The feast of cherries (engraving)
8650511 The feast of cherries (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The feast of cherries)

The feast of monks violating monastic rules, 18th century (Engraving)
6437876 The feast of monks violating monastic rules, 18th century (Engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Religion Catholic religion. The feast of monks violating monastic rules)

The feast of monks violating monastic rules
6437874 The feast of monks violating monastic rules. They drink wine, court the maids. 18th century (Engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: Religion Catholic religion)

Orlando addressing the guests, Illustration for "As You Like It"
AIS5354606 Orlando addressing the guests, Illustration for "As You Like It", by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), 19th century (engraving); (add.info.: Orlando addressing the guests)

Scenes from an illuminated manuscript of Les Voeux du Paon, 1889 (chromolithograph)
5912610 Scenes from an illuminated manuscript of Les Voeux du Paon, 1889 (chromolithograph); (add.info.: Knights in battle watched by ladies in a castle)

Patriotic banquet for National Guard officers during the 1848 Revolution in Paris
5669528 Patriotic banquet for National Guard officers during the 1848 Revolution in Paris, France. 19th century (engraving); Universal History Archive/UIG

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Step back in time and indulge in a culinary journey with the buffet. From its humble beginnings as a Quick Lunch and Snack Bar at Paddington Station in 1936 to the iconic GWR Buffet Cars of the 1930s, this dining experience has stood the test of time. Imagine stepping aboard a GWR Buffet Car, circa 1938, where you are transported to an era of elegance and sophistication. The ambiance is reminiscent of a bygone era, where passengers would gather for delectable meals while traversing through picturesque landscapes. Buffet Car No 9631 from 1934 beckons you with its tantalizing aromas and sumptuous offerings. As you savor each bite, you can't help but appreciate the craftsmanship that went into creating such a delightful experience on wheels. Travel further south to Spain and discover the Spanish Matador Buffet. Here, flavors burst forth like fireworks as traditional dishes dance on your taste buds. It's an explosion of colors, tastes, and textures that leave you craving more. But buffets aren't limited to trains alone; they have been part of history's grandest events too. In 1919, soldiers and sailors found solace in the Soldiers and Sailors Buffet at Paddington Station after their arduous journeys during World War I. It provided them with comfort food amidst chaos - a true testament to its ability to nourish both body and soul. Even biblical tales come alive through buffets. Esther feasts with the king in Tissot's masterpiece depicting opulent banquets fit for royalty. These lavish spreads symbolize abundance and celebration throughout history. The Railway Buffet in Prague showcases how this concept transcends borders. Czech cuisine intertwines harmoniously with international flavors here – truly a melting pot of gastronomic delights.