Personal Coat Hanger/Key Tray Standing Thing...

[Indy Magnoli]

Forgive my bad memory (and inability to get the FL search engine to produce narrow results), I remember seeing a post here showing a short (hip-high) coat/shirt/pant hanger with a tray in front of it for keys, watch, etc. I can't seem to figure out what this is called and, therefore, can't find any pictures or info about them. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Magnoli

 

[Rachael]

If you mean one of these,

http://www.valetstand.com/valstanvalba.html

it's a suit butler. my grandfather always used one.

 

[Max Flash]

The alternative, of course, is to have an actual butler. Or a "gentleman's gentleman", as Bertie Wooster would have called him...

 

[univibe88]

I need a butler

 

[Indy Magnoli]

Thanks, that's just what I needed!

Kind regards,
Magnoli

 

[dschonn]

A butler is not the same as a gentleman's personal gentleman. A butler helps run an entire household; a gentleman's gentleman (or valet) is one man's personal attendant. Bertram Wooster had a gentleman's gentleman--the famous Jeeves--but knew a butler when he saw one. Jeeves' uncle (I forget his name...Seppings? Silversmith?) was indeed a butler, and a rather intimidating one, too. He had gooseberry eyes, if I recall correctly.

I feel suddenly that I haven't explained that at all well, but I do know that there is a difference between a butler and a valet. And incidentally (actually more to the point of this thread), I've always heard the objects in question called valet stands.

 

[thunderw21]

I've also heard them called 'silent butlers', as they can't tell you what not to wear.

 

[univibe88]

Can I get a silent wife?

 

[Geesie]

Can I get a silent wife?

Yes, but I'd probably get banned if I posted a picture of one.

 

[RedPop4]

dschonn, you explained it VERY well. And of course, I can't forget Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry as Bertie Wooster and Jeeves.

Univibe, you a baaaaaaaaaaad maaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

 

[Max Flash]

A butler is not the same as a gentleman's personal gentleman. A butler helps run an entire household; a gentleman's gentleman (or valet) is one man's personal attendant. Bertram Wooster had a gentleman's gentleman--the famous Jeeves--but knew a butler when he saw one. Jeeves' uncle (I forget his name...Seppings? Silversmith?) was indeed a butler, and a rather intimidating one, too. He had gooseberry eyes, if I recall correctly.

I feel suddenly that I haven't explained that at all well, but I do know that there is a difference between a butler and a valet. And incidentally (actually more to the point of this thread), I've always heard the objects in question called valet stands.

I never knew that there was a difference. I just thought it was a Woosterism! Didn't Jeeves run Bertie's household though (e.g. preparing meals, drinks, cleaning, etc.)?

 

[Josephine]

I never knew that there was a difference. I just thought it was a Woosterism! Didn't Jeeves run Bertie's household though (e.g. preparing meals, drinks, cleaning, etc.)?

Bertie was a bachelor living in basically an apartment, however. There wasn't room nor enough for a butler and a valet to do. Bertie Wooster has lent Jeeves out as a butler on several occasions, and notes that "if the call comes, he can buttle with the best of them". (according to Wiki).

 

[Bugsy]

I've also heard them called 'silent butlers', as they can't tell you what not to wear.

I don't know about today, but when I was growing up, every household had a silent butler, but it was like a small pan with a flip-top lid into which one put all the ashes and butts that were in ash trays around the house. Times DO change.

 

[Anthony Jordan]

I know them as valet stands.