Hyacinth's Library or Bucket's Books

People who try to pretend they're superior make it so much harder for those of us who really are.  -Hyacinth

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As an enormously obsessed American fan of Roy Clarke's Keeping Up Appearances, I have for several years now had an interest in Hyacinth Bucket's library — that most holy shelf which contains the spiritual teachings of the Bucket woman —that shelf which we are teased with at the beginning of each and every episode of five seasons.  I finally decided it was time that I set out to do a bit of investigative reporting. 

As you can see, after careful inspection, there are in fact a total of seventeen books visible on Hyacinth's shelf.  

The sixteenth book, second from far right, remains a mystery wrapped in a dark-olive-green cover — that is to say, it has no print on the spine, making it quite hard for those viewers amongst us that would have gleaned knowledge and power from that one.  Oi! 

The first book from the left is quite a hefty tome, with black binding, and without cover (I believe to the left of that book is a small white porcelain piece with an engraved plaque attached to its base — if you can read the plaque let me know what it says!).  You can plainly see the superimposed gilt initials "GP" or perhaps, "PG" at the base of the book's spine.  

I had first thought of the name "Post", which is synonymous with etiquette here in America (or was at one time or another).  I then came up with the name of Pullbrook and Gould — the renowned London florists.  I think it highly likely that this mysterious book of Hyacinth's is a publication of these smart society florists, who were founded in 1956 on Sloane Street by Lady Susan Pullbrook and Rosamund Gould.  Notwithstanding, until I find one of Pullbrook and Gould's publications which matches this picture (which I have not), I cannot say exactly what it is there on Hyacinth's shelf, other than quite a long read.

If you are reading this and should happen to know what the title and author of either of Hyacinth's "mystery" books are, it would be a great relief to myself, as well as to many another of the four flower sister fans (Daisy, Rose, Violet, and Hyacinth), if you would be so kind as to share your knowledge.

HYACINTH’S LIBRARY

1.  ?  (Please contact me if you know!)

2.  Jonathon Brostoff:  "The Complete Guide to Food Allergy and Intolerance: Prevention, Identification, and Treatment of Common Illnesses and Allergies Caused by Food"

 3.  Joyce Robins:  "Writing Letters for All Occasions (Hamlyn Help Yourself Guide)”

4.  Don Aslett:  "How to Win at Housework"

5.  Charmian Watkins:  “Book of Soft Furnishings”

6.  Moyra Bremner:  “Modern Etiquette”

7.  Barty Phillips:  “Daily Mail Book of Household Hints and Tips”

8.  Rona Coleman and Sylvia Pepper:  “The Encyclopedia Flower Arranging”

 9.  Doris Pooser:  “Always in Style”

10.  Carole Jackson:  “Colour Me Beautiful: Discover Your Natural Beauty Through Colour”

11.  E.O. Parrott:  “How to Become Absurdly Well-informed About the Famous and Infamous”

12.  Laurie Graham (With Cartoons by Gray Jolliffe):  “Getting It Right:  A Survival Guide to Modern Manners"

13.  Donald Law:  Herbs for Health and Flavour

14.  David Nickerson:  "English Furniture"

15.  Roger Tilley:  Playing Cards




16.  ? (Please contact me if you know!)

17.  Ernest James Mackett:  "Chessmen"




I must say that I had some small help from an Amazon list and a forum list on the subject of Hyacinth's book list.  However, neither of the lists were close to complete or even entirely correct in what was listed.

It would have been a great deal more trouble that I would have gone through without Google and the consensual hallucination known as the "interwebs".  Also, Paint.Net is a nifty little piece of freeware from Washington State University which really opened the doors of perception into Hyacinth's shelf.


I would also like to point out the three consociated titles published by BBC Books:

1.  Roy Clarke and Jonathan Rice:  "Keeping Up Appearances:  Hyacinth Bucket's Book of Etiquette for the Socially Less Fortunate"

2.  Roy Clarke and Jonathan Rice:  "Hyacinth Bucket's Hectic Social Calendar"

3.  Harold Snoad:  "It's Bouquet — Not Bucket!:  The Story Behind the Making of an Extremely Popular Situation Comedy"

Also, another read:

Michelle Street:  "Everybody Loves Hyacinth:  The Ultimate Guide to Keeping Up Appearances" 



I know that true fans will also want to have a looksee here:  Royal Doultan!


The following is the high definition video within which I captured screen-shots.  Enjoy, and for God's sake, Keep Up Appearances!  ( ^_- )