Author: R House
Title: The Family Cookery, Combining Elegance and Economy: With Various Receipts for Making Gravies, Soups, Sauces, and Made Dishes; Directions for Roasting and Boiling Game, Poultry, Meat, Fish, &C. And Making of Pastry and Confectionary; Directions for Trussing and Carving; Rules for Brewing and Making Wines, the Art of Pickling and Preserving, the Management of Poultry and Bees, and Bills of Fare for the Year... Forming a Complete System of Domestic Management
Description: London, J Bailey, c1810. First edition. Leather. A very scarce cookery book from the early nineteenth century. Being the first and only edition of this pocket sized work, which looks at a variety of cooking techniques including the management of poultry and bees. Being the first and only edition of this pocket-sized work. Undated. Worldcat entry for this work states that John Bailey operated under his own name at 116 Chancery lane between 1808 and 1822. The printer's colophon is to page 204. (Maxted's London Book Trades, 1775-1800). Therefore, this work is likely to be between 1808-1822. The Worldcat entry states c1810 also. Interestingly, this very scarce work is not mentioned by A W Oxford's reference text 'English Cookery Books to the Year 1850&apos. With the signatures: [3], A6-S6, [1]. R2 is missigned as 3R. A6v is misnumbered as 'ii&apos. Illustrated, with a frontispiece, engraved title page and a further seven plates. Worldcat entry cites nine plates total, which includes the title page and frontispiece. Therefore, this copy is lacking one plate. With the publisher's adverts to the rear. This work discusses a variety of soups, including recipes for Mock Turtle, Mutton broth and Scotch barley broth. Regarding gravies and sauces there are directions for apple sauce, a bechemel and white gravy. There are directions for roasting meat, fish, game and poultry, broiling, stewing and fricasees. Slightly more unusual recipes include for Nea's tongue, pig's pettitoes, calf's feet, lambs' stones and sweet breads. There are also sections on wines, pickling, the general rules of brewing and bee-keeping. A charming cookery guide, which has remained in a smart condition in the contemporary binding. A lovely example of early nineteenth century cookery and domestic management. As stated to the title page, this has been compiled by one R House 'formerly head cook to the Duke of Portland' and intends to combine 'elegance and economy&apos. This comprehensive work on domestic management pre-dates the famous 'Mrs Beeton's' which contained many similar recipes. In a contemporary sheep binding. Externally, generally smart with minor rubbing to the joints and extremities. Front joint is cracked with the hinge tender. Prior owner's inscription to the recto of front endpaper. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages are bright. Ink spill to page 148, not obscuring the text entirely. Just the odd spots to pages. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Keywords: Cookery Cooking Domestic Household Management Cooking Not Stated


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