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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Fortnum and Mason
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(London W1) Shop with a reputation for lavish and exotic food. William Fortnum was a footman in the service of Queen Anne, and Hugh Mason was a small shopkeeper. With Fortnum's palace connections they built up a business which later thrived by supplying food to British officers abroad. The famous Fortnum hampers, containing a suitable selection of food and drink, are a tradition which began in 1851 – to supply the needs of visitors to the Great Exhibition. The shop in Piccadilly was entirely rebuilt in 1923–5, and the animated clock on the façade (with Messrs Fortnum and Mason turning on the hour to bow to each other) was installed in 1964.
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