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Warner. Richard - With a signed hand written letter from Warner.
Antiquitates Culinariae;
or Curious Tracts relating to the Culinary affairs of the Old English, With a preliminary discourse, Notes, and Illustrations, By The Reverend Richard Warner, of Sway, near Lymington, Hants. Printed for R. Blamire Strand, London, 1791.
FIRST & SOLE EDITION. Large 4to. 1feps with a tipped in hand written letter from Richard Warner. [1] Frontispiece - an aquatint plate of 'A Saxon Entertainment' Engraved title-page. [2] 1 double-paged aquatint plate of the famous 'Peacock Feast'. (1)ii-lvii Preliminary Discourse. [1] (1)-l The Contents. [1]2-137. [1]1fep. Occasional very minor spotting, else a very well-preserved wide-margined large paper copy. Rare original cloth boards and leather spine with gilt lettering. Both ends of the spine slightly rubbed and a crack on one side but still solid. The tipped in 1p hand written letter from the Rev.Richard Warner to 'Mr Dear Sir' asking for a facsimile "of the words per me Ric. Abbem at the foot of the acknowledgement of supremecy of Hen: VIII." 110x160mm with very minor blemishes just above the signature. Dated 14th August 1825 - Weston super Mare, Somerset.
- Richard Warner (1763–1857), divine and antiquary, born in Marylebone, London, on 18 Oct. 1763, was the son of Richard Warner, ‘a respectable London tradesman.’ Early in his sixth year he was sent to a boarding-school near London, and remained there until his father removed, with his family, to Lymington in Hampshire, described by him in his ‘Literary Recollections’. On 19 Oct. 1787 he matriculated from St. Mary Hall, Oxford, and kept eight terms at the university, but left without taking a degree. About 1790 Warner was ordained by William Markham, archbishop of York, his title being the curacy of Wales, near Rotherham, where he stayed for three months, the curacy of his vicarage of Boldre, near Lymington for nearly four years. The influence of Gilpin's tastes was afterwards perceptible in the topographical writings of Warner. Then the more lucrative curacy of Fawle for over two years; but the situation did not agree with his family. The chapel of All Saints, Bath, in the parish of Walcot, was opened for divine service on 26 Oct. 1794, and Warner was placed in charge of it as curate to John Sibley, rector of the mother parish. In April 1795 he accepted the curacy of the populous parish of St. James's, Bath, and he continued in that position for about twenty-two years, preaching his farewell sermon on 23 March 1817. For many years after his settlement at Bath, Warner was the best-known man of letters in that city, and he knew all the literary men who frequented it. Warner was appointed on 13 May 1809 to the rectory of Great Chalfield in Wiltshire, which he enjoyed until his death. In the 1826 list of fellows of the Society of Antiquaries his name appears as elected, but he was never admitted. He died on 27 July 1857, when nearly ninety-four years of age, and was buried on 11 Aug. 1857 in the chancel of Chelwood church, a monument being erected to his memory. The widow, Anne [‘Pearson’], died at Widcombe Cottage, Bath, on 23 March 1865, aged 85, and was buried at Chelwood. One daughter, Ellen Rebecca Warner, was also buried there on 18 Sept. 1833. Warner's voluminous writings comprised over 44 various volumes. Given this huge output, one wonders if the people of his many parishes knew what he looked like. This, his infamous book, ‘Antiquitates Culinariæ: Tracts on Culinary Affairs of the Old English,’ 1791 attracted the attention and ire of John Carter (1748–1817) who prosecuted him for pirating in this work his print of the ‘Peacock Feast,’ and got a verdict for 20l guineas. The print was therefore torn from all the copies then unsold. This action cost Warner 70l guineas in all. Interestingly, Warner had been told that Carter had given permission for the reproduction. This fine original copy has survived with the ‘Peacock Feast’ plate intact.

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Antiquarian category

ref number: 11056

WILLIAMS, MBE. JOHN A beautifully designed book, signed by the author.
The Ritz London - The Cookbook
The Ritz Emblem - John Williams, MBE with James Steen Photographed by John Carey - Mitchell Beazely
FIRST EDITION. 2018. Large 4to. 350 x 223 x 25mm. 1fep. 1 page half-title, signed to "Bobby Hendry I hope you enjoy the book. The Evolution of Escoffier's Cuisine. Happy Cooking John Williams". Verso with legal production details. Title page. 2 pages Contents. 6-9 Introduction from John Williams with a beautiful image of a painting of John Williams. (see below) 10-11 Through the revolving door. 1 page photograph of a dish of Quails Eggs. 13-227. 228-231 Basic Recipes and Cooking Notes. 232-223 Pictures of the kitchen and dining room brigades. 234-235 A beautiful 2 page of the dining room and kitchen brigades. 236-238 Index. 239 Glossary of Terms. 240 Compliments of the Chef & About John Williams. 1fep. A sumptuous dark navy cover with embossed silver text. The front cover has the embossed Ritz Emblem. The text block as new. The edges silver. With a thin dark blue cloth bookmark. The whole in excellent condition.
- This is one of the most handsome cookery books I've seen. It is also very unique, as its a book about and representing a very famous hotel written entirely from the Chef's perspective. Encompassing the recipes, the Hotel, the guests, dining areas. the teams and the history conveyed by John William's, whose passion oozes from the pages. One thing not generally understood by people outside the catering trade, but understood well by chefs is the difference between great hotels and great restaurants. In the restaurant the customer comes to wine and dine well, then departs before the restaurant closes. The hotel has the guests staying in-house, with all meals, room service, housekeeping, catering outlets etc that are all required every day. This creates a very different emphasis especially for the upper management. Whereas in a restaurant the focus is on wine, food and ambience. The Ritz hotel requires a 24/7 operation every day of the year. With 111 rooms and 25 suites, its Restaurant, Banqueting rooms, the Palm Court and it's famous afternoon teas, Room service, the spectrum of such varied and differing venue needs, requires a much wider approach. Chef John Williams has also helped create a fine restaurant at the Ritz, gaining its first Michelin star in 2016. At the same time, his overview of the culinary needs of the whole hotel is just as paramount, with a standard that must not drop. His whole catering background is entirely that of great Hotels, his experience very broad and his knowledge very detailed. As a cook he has found his spiritual home in the Ritz. He is a great student and admirer of Auguste Escoffier and what Escoffier's impact has been on all cooks since then. In his own words; "We would not be where we are now as chefs, had it not been for Escoffier". The Hotel was opened in 1906 by Cesar Ritz the great friend and compatriot of Escoffier who was at that time Chef de Cuisine one mile away at the Carlton Hotel Pall Mall. Escoffier and Ritz collaborated in the opening of both Ritz hotels in Paris as well as London. John Williams is very aware that he carries the legacy of those two great hoteliers, and is more than willing to rise to the challenge. Possibly helping to surpass it. One thing in the book that makes me believe this, is Williams's own story on the last page about Mr Shannon at Claridge's Hotel. This story is in the full spirit of Ritz and Escoffier, both of whom had the complete welfare and well-being of their guests as their highest priority. The book also impresses with the beautiful colour plates and recipes. I have picked one to show below in photographs 4 and 5 that possibly conveys everything about the Ritz and its history. Canard à la presse is a traditional French dish considered the height of culinary elegance. Originally a specialty of Rouen. The Rouen or Rhone ducks are large and have great flavour. It has also gained fame as a specialty of La Tour d'Argent restaurant in Paris. It consists of various parts of a roasted duck served in a sauce of its blood and bone marrow, which is extracted by way of the press seen in the photograph. The book shows all the other great dishes that The Ritz Hotel London is rightly famous for. Chef John Williams's mastery shines from every page, and is a professional testament to a life of cooking, learning, passion and achievement.

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Modern category

ref number: 11256

Willis. Michael - Extremely scarce first edition.
COOKERY MADE EASY;
BEING A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF DOMESTIC MANAGEMENT, UNITING Elegance with Economy. TO WHICH IS ADED, INSTRUCTIONS FOR TRUSSING AND CARVING, WITH SEVERAL DESCRIPTIVE PLATES; MOTHOD OF CURING AND DRYING HAAMS AND TONGUES; MUSHROOMS AND WALNUT KETCHUPS, QUIN’S SAUCE, VINEGARS, &c. &c. With other necessary Information FOR SMALL FAMILIES, HOUSEKEEPERS, &c. THE WHOLE Being the Result of actual Experience. By MICHAEL WILLIS, MANY YEARS COOK AT THE THATCHED-HOUSE TAVERN. LONDON: PRINTED BY W. LEWIS, 21, FINCH LANE; FOR JOHN BUMPUS, HOLBURN BARS; AND BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. 1824
FIRST EDITION. 164 X 100mm. 1fep. [1] Unusual Frontispiece of two meat suppliers. Title page. [1] (1)iv-vi Preface. (1)viii-xvi Contents. 5p Plates of Trussing and Carving. (1)2-205. 206-213 Bills of Fare. p214-216 Marketing Tables. 2feps. Frontis evenly foxed. Some age browning and light sporadic foxing throughout. Original slightly faded grey cloth covers with a dark leather and gilt label on spine.
- At Willis's place of employment during the London season on Sunday evenings, the Thatched House Tavern on St. James St. hosted the dinners of the Dilettanti Society. Portraits of the members, many of them painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, adorned the walls of a room devoted exclusively to their use. The society met originally at Parsloe's in St. James's St., but moved to the Thatched House Tavern in 1799. Many other art societies and associations, as well as the Royal Navy club used the large and elegant rooms of the Tavern. St. James Street dates to 1670 and runs northward from St James Palace. The poets Waller and Pope lived there, Wren till he died in 1723, Gibbon the historian till 1794 and Lord Byron lodged at #8, in 1811. The tavern was also the favourite haunt of Swift. At the south-west end of the street next to the Palace was the St James Coffee Hse, but taken down in 1806. From early times the street found favour with the London literary scene, which in turn was favourable to the growth of well appointed taverns and clubs. The Thatched House was pulled down in 1863. It was nearly the last remaining relic of old St James St. On part of its site the Civil Service club was erected. Michael Willis the cook and author, appears to be a very confident man, especially about his book. In the last lines of the preface he proclaims: “The object of the writer has been to furnish a valuable and useful book at a low price; and the approbation of the public is his highest ambition. It contains twice as much as any similar works hitherto published at Four Pounds the Price! and he has no hesitation in asserting, that it is surpassed by none, either in quantity, quality, or variety”. It is a interesting book with some nice detail in the recipes, as expected of a professional cook. Also interesting as a culinary record of a famous and high class Tavern. The book has been produced in a modern facsimile, so it has had a modern impact that could never have been foreseen nor dreamed of by Willis two centuries ago.

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Antiquarian category

ref number: 11207

Woodbridge. George
The Reform Club
1836-1978 A history from the Club's records by GEORGE WOODBRIDGE With a foreward by MAURICE ASHLEY, C.B.E. Privately printed for Members of the Reform Club in association with Clearwater Publishing Company, Inc., New York and Toronto 1978.
FIRST EDITION. 1978. 250x180mm. 1fep. Half title. Verso with frontispiece - lithograph of London Clubs incl. The Reform. Title page. Verso with ISBN. 2p Forward. 2p Preface and Acknowledgements. 2p Contents and Illustrations. 1-173. [1] 175-178 Bibliography. 179-185 Index. [1] 1fep. With numerous photographs and illustrations in-text, some full page. Fully bound navy blue cloth and gilt writing and tooling on the spine and front cover. With a wine red d/j. All in excellent condition; as new.
- The Reform Club is a gentlemen's club on the south side of Pall Mall (at number 104), in central London. Originally for men only, it has admitted women since 1981. In 1977 its subscription fees were among the highest in London. It was founded in 1836 by Edward Ellice, Whig whip, whose riches came from the bank 'The Hudson's Bay Company', but whose zeal was chiefly devoted to securing the passage of the Reform Act of 1832. The new club, for members of both Houses of Parliament, was meant to be a centre for the radical ideas which that bill represented; a bastion of liberal and progressive thought that became closely associated with the Liberal Party, which had largely succeeded the Whigs by the middle of the 19th century. Until the decline of the Liberal Party, it was de rigueur for Liberal MPs to be members of the Reform Club, which almost constituted another party headquarters, although the National Liberal Club, formed under William Gladstone's chairmanship, was established in 1882, designed to be more "inclusive", and was geared more towards Liberal grandees and activists in the country. The building, like its neighbor the Travellers Club, (number 106), was designed by Sir Charles Barry and opened in 1841. The new club was palatial, the design being based on the Farnese Palace in Rome. The Reform was one of the first clubs to have bedrooms, and its library contains some 75,000 books, mostly political history and biography. The Library was established in 1841, shortly after the Club moved into the newly built clubhouse. A comprehensive collection of parliamentary papers, reports, speeches and reference works was regarded as essential for the many active politicians amongst the early members. But the Library also aimed to achieve a broad coverage in the humanities, in order to serve the Club's more general cultural aims. The Library was formed under the guidance of Sir Anthony Panizzi, a Club member and also the most distinguished librarian of the age; from 1856 to 1866 Panizzi held the post of Principal Librarian to the British Museum, where he is particularly remembered as the designer of the famous circular Reading Room. Another famous aspect of the Club is its association with Alexis Soyer. The flamboyant chef, self-promoter and writer of several important cookery books, became Chef de Cuisine in 1837. He designed the kitchens with Charles Barry at the newly built Club. He instituted many innovations, including cooking with gas, refrigerators cooled by cold water, and ovens with adjustable temperatures. His kitchens were so famous that they were opened for conducted tours. When Queen Victoria was crowned on 28 June 1838, he prepared a breakfast for 2,000 people in the Club. His salary was more than £1,000 a year. His eponymous Lamb Cutlets Reform are still on the menu of this grand institution. During the Great Irish Famine in April 1847, he invented the 'magic stove' and designed a soup kitchen. The Government asked him to go to Ireland to implement his idea. He got indefinite leave from the Club and opened his soup kitchen in Dublin and his 'famine soup' was served to thousands of the poor for free. Soyer resigned from the Reform Club in May 1850. He was succeeded by another famous Victorian cookery-book writer; Charles Elme Francatelli, who went on to serve the club with distinction for seven years. This volume is an interesting history of an important London institution and bastion of the more liberal elements of the British establishment.

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Modern category

ref number: 11110

Woodward. S.P. - A uttelry fascinating book in fine original condition.
A MANUAL OF THE MOLLUSCA
BEING A TREATISE OF RECENT AND FOSSIL SHELLS By S.P. WOODWARD, A.L.S., F.G.S. LATE ASSISTANT PALAEONTOLOGIST IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM WITH AN APPENDIX OF RECENT AND FOSSIL CONCHOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES By RALPH TATE, A.L.S., F.G.S. Illustrated by A.N. WATERHOUSE AND JOSEPH WILSON LOWRY Reprint of Fourth Edition (1880). (A printer’s device of a fire torch with words “Capio Lumen). LONDON CROSBY LOCKWOOD AND SON 7, STATIONERS’ HALL COURT, LUDGATE HILL 1890.
Thick 8vo. 178x132mm. 1fep. Half Title. [2] Frontispiece of the Pearly Nautilus. Title Page. [1] (1)vi-viii. (1)x-xvi Contents. (1)2-507. (1)509-518. 1p Index to Figures. 1p Explanation of Plates. 23 Engraved plates of Molusces with all versos blank. [1] 521-542 Explanation of the Plates. (1)Title page - Appendix to the Manual [1] 3-81. [1] 83-85(1) Index to Appendix. (1)2-48 Crosby Lockwood & Son’s Catalogue. (1)2-16 Weales Catalogue. 1fep. Bottle green cloth binding with fine bright gilt tooling on the spine and front board. There is a 50x20mm water stain on the back cover. Besides that, inside and outside in very good condition – as new.
- Samuel Pickworth Woodward was born in Norwich on 17 September, 1821. He died at Herne Bay, Kent on 11 July 1865. The son of Samuel Woodward he followed in his well-known father's footsteps and also became a famous geologist. S. P. Woodward was sub-curator of the Geological Society of London from 1839–45, then became in 1845 professor of geology and natural history at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. In 1848 to 1865 he was appointed assistant in the department of geology and mineralogy at the British Museum. ‘A Manual of Mollusca’, was originally published in three parts - 1851, 1853 and 1856. It is also considered a classic text. It is a very interesting book for such a scholarly work. Did you know that besides a systemic heart Cuttlefish have another 2 bronchial hearts? Once you start reading the myriad features of these shellfish one is completely struck by the fact that they are formed even stranger than they look. It also has a very interesting 270 in-text illustrations with many of the woodcuts being executed by Miss A.N. Waterhouse from original drawings by the author. The twenty-three pages of engravings by Mr Wilson Lowry are amazing in their variety and quantity. There are also 27 additional illustrations in the appendix. A large folding map is bound in to distinguish the sea provinces of all the various concentrations of mollusca. Very rare in this fine original condition.

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Antiquarian category

ref number: 11177

Woolley. Hannah
The Accomplish'd LADIES DELIGHT
IN Preserving, Physick, Beautifying, and Cookery. CONTAINING 1. The ART of PRESERVING, and CANDYING Fruits and Flowers, and the making of all sorts of Conserves, Syrups, and Jellies. 11. The PHYSICAL CABINET, Or Excellent Receipts in Physick and Chirurgery, Together with some Rare Beautifying Waters, to adorn and add loveliness to the Face and Body: And also some New and Excellent Secrets and Experiments in the ART of ANGLING. 111. The Compleat COOKS GUIDE, Or, directions for dressing all sorts of Flesh, Fowl and Fish, both in the English and French Mode, with all Sauces and Sallets; and the making Pyes, Pasties, Tarts, and Custards, with the Forms and Shapes of many of them. The Fifth Edition Enlarged. LONDON, Printed for Benjamin Harris, at the Stationers Arms and Anchor, in the Piazza, at the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, 1685.
12mo. 2 modern fep [1]. Engraved frontispiece of the author and engraved Title-page of four household scenes. [1] 2nd Title page. 2 pages of Epistle Directory signed T.P. PART 1- The Art of Preserving 1-65. PART 2- Excellent Receipts in Physick and Chirurgery 66-105 with Frontispiece illustration of couple fishing (page 106). The Art of Angling. 107-126 with 1p illustration of fish, pages 115 & [1]. PART 3- The Complete Cooks Guide 127-196 with 2 pages of illustrations of Pye shapes. p197 - 199 Terms of Carving. p200 - 204 Bills of Fare. (1) To the Reader, signed BH. p206 - 208 A Great Feast, 12p of 'The Table'. 2 modern fep. Half tan calf with marbled boards and tan calf corners, Spine with gilt lines and 2 red labels with gilt lettering . The frontis, engraved title page and 2nd title page and 4 pages internally with expert repairs to the page edges. A very good copy with minimal aging.
- There are doubts as to whether this really is the work of Hannah Wolley. [See PPC #9 pp.66. Uta Schumacher-Voelker casts serious doubt on the authorship of this book and furthermore, presents some compelling points of research, that at least highlight the ambiguity, but unfortunately do not prove conclusively the case, for or against]. From the library of Edward Gordon Craig we also learn that it is probably an unauthorised work based on Woolley's text. Certainly the ambiguous fact of two different initials in the same book, of one T.P. at the end of the Epistle Directory and the initials of B.H. on the un-numbered page next to p204 further hightens the confusion. It has been listed here under Wolley, as that is the name on one of the labels. If an answer is ever found and whatever it may be, it is none the less a rare book.

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Antiquarian category

ref number: 10924

Woolley. Hannah
The Queen-like Closet
OR RICH CABINET Stored with all manner of RARE RECEIPTS FOR Preserving, Candying and Cookery. Very Pleasant and Benicial to all Ingenious Persons of the FEMALE SEX. To which is added, A SUPPLEMENT, PRESENTED To all Ingenious LADIES, and GENTLEMEN. By Hannah Wolley. The Third EDITION. LONDON, Printed for Richard Lowndes at the White Lion in Duck-Lane, near West-Smithfield, 1675. -- TITLE PAGE to the SUPPLEMENT: A SUPPLEMENT TO THE QUEEN-LIKE CLOSET; OR A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING. PRESENTED To all Ingenious Ladies, and Gentlemen. By HANNAH WOOLLEY. LONDON, Printed by T.R. for Richard Lowndes, and to be Sold at the Sign of the White Lion in Duck-Lane, 1674.
12mo. 1pp. - Licensed, Nov 16, 1669. Roger L' Estrange. Frontispiece of five Kitchen Scenes. Title page. [6] 1-344. 22pp. Contents of 1st and 2nd parts. 2pp.-postscript. 2pp.-Advertisements. THE SECOND PART: Pp. Title page. [8] 4pp.-The Table. 2pp.-Advertisement. 1-100. Original dark brown calf boards with gilt border and nice patina. Sympathetically re-laid spine with gilt lines and title in gilt. A very good clean copy with minimal aging. A light stain to the edge of pages 95-122. A rare item.
- Curiously the author's name is spelt with one 'O' in the title page and two 'O's in the supplement. Hannah Woolley was a prolific writer and the list of four books attributed to her are: 'The Ladies Directory' - 1st edition 1661. 'The Cooks Guide' - 1st edition 1664. 'The Queen-like Closet' - 1st edition 1670, with at least two editions of a German translation published as 'Frauenzimmers Zeitvertreib'. 'The Ladies Delight or Rich Closet' - 1672 (essentially the first two of the books in this list, put together). The supplement to this book 'The Queen-like Closet' was Woolley's last published work. An unauthorised compilation of her texts was published in 1673, called 'The Gentlewomans Companion'. Similar unauthorized works based on her texts followed -'The Accomplished Ladies Delight' 1675, and in 1677 - 'The Compleat Servant-Maid'. Like her authentic works, these were reprinted frequently. All copies, whether legitimate or not are quite rare.

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Antiquarian category

ref number: 10926

Woolley. Hannah - two incomplete copies, together making one whole.
The Gentlewomans Companion,
OR, A GUIDE TO THE Female Sex: CONTAINING Directions of Behaviour, in all Places, Companies, Relations and Conditions, form their Child-hood down to Old Age: VIZ. As, Children to Parents. Scholars to Governours. Single to Servants. Virgins to Suitors. Married to Husbands. Huswifes to the House. Mistress to Servants. Mothers to Children. Widows to the World. Prudent to all. With LETTERS & DISCOURSES upon all Occasions. Whereunto is added, A Guide fotr Cook-maids, Dairy-maids, chamber-maids, and all others that go to Service. The whole beingan exact Rule for the Female Sex in General. By HANNAH WOOLLEY. LONDON, Printed by A.Maxwell for Edward Thomas, at the Adam and Eve in Little-Brittan, 1675.
1ST BOOK: 16mo. 1 loose fep with manuscript signature. Title Page in red and black text with a double lined border. [1] 7p Epistle Directory. [1] 9p A Table. [1] 1-262. 5p Advertisements. [1] Only the back cardboard cover present but exposed. Original full dark calf binding, completely dis-bound. A 1" tear and crack on the spine. (Missing -- Frontispiece, I, I8, K8, L, R-R8. P159-160 has 2" tear on outer edge with some text loss. First 4p of the rear Advertisements). The text block is quite clean with minimal age browning and some minor tears without loss. A nice clean copy. 2ND BOOK: 16mo. 2fep. [1] Engraved Frontispiece cropped and laid down. Title page in red and black text, cropped to inside line of the 2 line border and laid down. [1] 5p Epistle Directory. [1] 9p A Table. [1] 1-262. 8p Advertisements. 2feps. (Missing - pA4 of Epistle Directory and the last page of the rear advertisements). Half dark calf with marbled boards with a sunned spine and gilt lettering. Text block age browned with the top of the pages cropped without loss. Both copies housed in a modern half mid-tan calf clam-shell box with mid-brown cloth boards. Lined with black felt cloth. The spine with raised bands and gilt lines. With two labels of red and green morocco with gilt lettering. Unusually Woolley's name spelled differently here from the 'Wolley' in her other book - 'The Queen-like Closet'.
- Woolley, (born 1623 - died circa 1675) was a writer who published early books on household management and was probably the first to earn their living doing this. Her mother and elder sisters were all skilled in ‘Physick and Chirurgery’ and she learned from them . Nothing is known of her father. From 1639 to 1646 Woolley worked as a servant for an unnamed woman, almost certainly Anne, Lady Maynard (died,1647), during which time she learned about medical remedies and recipes. She married Jerome Woolley, a schoolmaster, in 1646 and with him, ran a free grammar school at Newport, in Essex. This is very near the Maynard family's house at Little Easton. In the school she put into practice her skills at ‘physick’. A few years later, the Woolleys opened a school in Hackney, London. She had at least four sons and two daughters, and the marriage was remembered by Hannah as a happy one. Hannah was widowed in 1661 and from that year on began publishing books on household management. She covered such topics as: recipes, notes on domestic management, embroidery instruction, the etiquette of letter writing, medicinal advice, and perfume making. These proved to be very popular. Her first book The Ladies Directory was published at her own expense in 1661, and this was soon reprinted in 1664. Her second book The Cooks Guide, was printed at a her publisher's expense and is dedicated to Maynard's daughter, Lady Anne Wroth (1632–1677), and her own daughter Mary. Woolley earned a reputation as a successful physician, despite her amateur status and the unwelcoming environment for female medical practitioners at that time in history. She used her books as an advertisement for her skills and invited her readers to consult her in person. Woolley remarried in 1666 at St. Margaret's, Westminster, to Francis Challiner, a widower two years older than herself. But her second husband died before February 1669. Woolley's own date of death is unknown. Rather than try to make a made-up complete copy with the difference in cropped page sizes and varying paper colour, the two copies here have been kept as they are and housed together in a handsomely bound clamshell box. The first edition was published in 1673. Even though this is an unauthorized text based on Hannah's books, never the less it is still Woolley's work and extremely rare.

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Antiquarian category

ref number: 11130

Woolley. Hannah - The rare first edition.
THE COMPLEAT SERVANT-MAID.
OR, THE Young Maidens Tutor. Directing how they may fit, and qualifie themselves for any of those Employments. Viz, Waiting Women, House-keeper, Chamber-maid, Cook-Maid, Under Cook-Maid, Nursery-maid, Dairy-Maid, House-Maid, Scullery-Maid. (a single line) Composed for the great benefit and advantage of all young Maidens. (a single line) LONDON, Printed for T. Passinger, at the tree Bibles on London Bridge, 1677.
FIRST EDITION. 150x92mm. 1fep with large bookplate of John George Mortlock and Licence information on Verso. Title page has a full double line border. [1] 7 pages The Epistle. [1] 1-167. 3 pages Advertisements. 2feps. 2 folding plates of writing examples, between pages 20-21. 1 plate repaired without loss. Pages 142-154 Bills of Fare. Lightly age-browned throughout. Original dark brown calf boards neatly re-tipped. Modern calf spine sympathetically bound in.
- Jilly Lehmann in her very informative book ‘The British Housewife’ has assembled from meagre facts a good dated biography of Hannah Woolley. Probably born 1623, she was one of the most prolific Elizabethan cookery writers. Due to the fact that her works were heavily plagiarised and she produced in total, five cookery books between 1661 and 1677, it made her the dominant figure amongst cookery authors. She was also the first to put her name to her works (although this volume remains anonymous) and make a precarious living from writing cookery books. In the supplement of ‘The Queen-like Closet’, Woolley informs us the she learned her cookery skills from her mother and elder sisters. By the age of seventeen she was employed for seven years by a noble lady, who encouraged her by buying her ingredients and books. She then married Woolley in 1647 when she was twenty-four. Woolley was the master of a free school at Newport Pond in Essex. Seven years later they moved and opened another school in Hackney with sixty boarders. Woolley died leaving Hannah with four children to support. She then married Francis Challinor in 1666. In the early 1660’s she possibly worked for Lady Anne Wroth and her daughter Mary to whom ‘The Cooks Guide’ is dedicated. This last book of Woolley’s is unusual, in that it addresses the complete back-of-house department skills besides just the kitchen. Addressing all the servants, or in Woolley’s words; Young Maidens, advising them of the various crucial skills needed to secure their position and improve them and importantly, to please their titled employers. This book shows just how astute Woolley was. She identified the back-of-house areas not generally covered solely in cookery books and produced one just specifically for that purpose. Oxford has a 1677 edition and comments on the usefulness of this little book. He informs of a 9th edition of 1729 with a supplement, but the plates removed. Hazlitt and Cagle have each a 5th edition of 1691. COPAC shows nine copies of the 1677 - 1st edition in UK holdings.

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Antiquarian category

ref number: 11215