The impossible-to-replicate dinanderie vases (hand-hammered metalwork with applied metal inlays), the enameled cigarette cases depicting streets in Paris, the spiked walkingsticks that are petrified stingray tails and the cocktail goblets dancing on their zigzagging silver stems, won't be making appearances on store shelves.
Some came for special events like a show of dog cartoons by George Booth or an exhibit of dogs in needlework memorably titled "Bitches in Stitches" others to see the dazzling ivory, wood and silver dog-themed walkingsticks that fill a case at the library's entrance.
But all the debate over the architecture, the politics, the morality is irrelevant to the likes of Mr. Cunningham and the other old boys who tottered along to meet the queen, leaning on walkingsticks or being pushed in wheelchairs, many with relatives proudly holding black-and-white photographs of them when they were young and brave-hearted.