The British Housewife: or the Cook, Housekeeper's and Gardiner's Companion

London: S. Crowder and H. Woodgate, 1756. First Edition. Hardcover (Full Leather). Good Condition. Two volumes one in tattered and torn original leather and the other in early acid calf, boards crudely reattached. Some wear to page edges, volume two with periodic light stains in pink and teal early on and a few light dampstains in margins, not obscuring any text. Modest age toning, generally uniform. Plates worn in a few cases, frontis adhered to partially adhered to endpaper. A married set in slightly different sizes and different bindings. One bound with six (of seven) of the plates bound at the beginning and the other withfour of the plates (the one missing from volume one and three repeats) bound at the end. One the whole a well used and worn but complete copy. Undated, but Cagle dates it as 1756 based on an ad for its serial publication in Scots Magazine dated January 1756 announcing its publication; the full book is thought to have been offered for sale shortly after the parts version.

752pp; 469, (33)pp. With the seven plates of place settings (and three repeated). Vicaire 111, Bitting 54, Cagle 574, Oxford 104, Simon 236

Scarce with both volumes, volume 1 often showing up alone. The engraved menu plates are extremely well executed. Collects household management, gardening and cookery recipes. Remarkable for it's detailed start to finish explanations giving origins of ingredients and preparations. It is, unlike most 18th century English cookbooks aimed at women (other than Raffald's in 1769), a decidedly practical and middle class cookbook aimed at the housewife not a gentlewoman. Learn to make calve brain paaties, pitchcock eels, grow pineapples, cure the pimple evil in sheep, or hysterick fits in your neighbors. Filled with eels, puddings, creams and pies - a work of delightful completeness. Size: Octavo (8vo). 2-volume set (complete). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Cooking, Wine & Dining; Inventory No: 048096.