Tusser.   Thomas     - A popular Tudor work.
Tusser Redivivus:
Being part of Five Hundred POINTS of HUSBANDRY; DIRECTING What Corn, Grass, &c. is proper to be sown; What Trees to be Planted; How Land is to be Improved: with what ever is fit to be done for the Benefit of the Farmer in every Month of the Year. To which is added NOTES and OBSERVATIONS explaining many obsolete Terms in the said Mr Tusser, and what is agreeable to the present Practice in several Counties of this Kingdom. A WORK very necessary and useful for Gentlemen, as well as Farmers and Occupiers of Land, whether Wood-Ground, Tillage or Pasture. [a fine straight line] LONDON: Printed, and are to be sold by J. Morphew near Stationers-Hall. 1720. [the whole page with neat double-line border].
190.5 x 127 mm. Twelve monthly parts in eleven (as published, with November and December on the last title page). 1 new fep. Main Title page. [1] January - Title page, Preface on the verso, 3-16 and separate pagination. February - Title page. 3-16 and separate pagination. March - Title page. 2-16 and separate pagination. April - Title page [1]. 3-16 and separate pagination. May - Title page [1]. 3-16 and separate pagination. June - Title page. 2-16 and separate pagination. July - Title page. 2-16 and separate pagination. August - Title page. 2-16 and separate pagination. September - Title page. 2-16 and separate pagination. October- Title page. 2-16 and separate pagination. November and December - Title page. 2-16 and separate pagination. 1page Advertisement. 1 new fep. The Title page has a small repair at the top of the page with no loss. Illustrated with fine large woodcut vignettes in each chapter. (the first 4 vignettes very nicely and pleasingly coloured in yellow). The whole text block is slightly age-browned and clean. Nicely bound in modern full tan calf with raised bans on the spine, with a red calf label and gilt lettering. Overall very good complete copy.
- First printed in 1557, this book has a charming format, giving instructions on farming in England throughout the year. An early adherent of seasonality, Tusser's writing is both witty and informative. His major work was first the ‘Hundredth Good Pointes of Husbandrie’, published by Richard Tottel and frequently reprinted. Tottel published an enlarged edition ‘Five Hundreth Pointes of Good Husbandrie’ in 1573. Tusser includes a homely mix of instructions and observations about farming and country customs which offer a fascinating insight into life in Tudor England, and his work records many terms and proverbs in print for the first time (eg: A fool and his money are soon parted). In this work, he also famously presents ten characteristics the perfect cheese must have: --- "Not like Gehazi, i.e., dead white, like a leper. Not like Lot's wife, all salt. Not like Argus, full of eyes. Not like Tom Piper, "hoven and puffed". Not like Crispin, leathery. Not like Lazarus, poor. Not like Esau, hairy. Not like Mary Magdalene, full of whey or maudlin. Not like the Gentiles, full of maggots. Not like a Bishop, made of burnt milk". --- The work is written in verse in Gothic script and takes the form of a calendar with instructions in normal script to the farmer on what he should be doing in each month. In August there is a page on the gathering and storing of hops which were only introduced in the early 16th century but are here referred to as a common crop. As well as the growing, care and harvesting of crops and animals, there is advice to the house-wife on the care of foodstuffs. (In the 1744 edition there is a section on ‘Houswifery’ which runs from pages 119 – 138). Thomas Tusser had a very varied life. His father William and his mother Isabella had as well as Thomas, four other sons, Clement, Andrew, John and William, and four daughters; the marriages of the daughters are recorded, but no wives assigned to the sons. Thomas was born at Rivenhall near Kelvedon and Witham, in the County of Essex, about the year 1525. The exact date of his birth is uncertain. At a very early age he was placed by his father as a singing-boy in the Collegiate Chapel of the Castle of Wallingford, in Berkshire. Thomas himself recorded in his homely and quaint style the hardships which he had to endure at this school; the bare robes, the college fare, the stale bread, and the penny ale. Later he was impressed into the choir for the King's Chapel. After this he was admitted to the choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral. From St. Paul's he was sent to Eton, probably in 1540 or 1541, "to learn the Latin phrase," From Eton he passed on to Cambridge, and was elected to King's College in 1543. Being obliged by a long illness to discontinue his studies, he left the University, and joined the Court as a retainer of William, Lord Paget, by whom he was probably employed as a musician, and of whom he spoke in terms of praise and affection. After ten years he retired into the country, married and settled down as a farmer at Cattiwade, a hamlet in the parish of Brantham in Suffolk, where he wrote the first edition of this work. He never remained long in one place. For his wife's health, he removed to Ipswich. After her death, he married again, and farmed for some time at West Dereham. He then became a singing man again in Norwich Cathedral, where he found a good patron in the dean, John Salisbury. After another experiment in farming at Fairstead, Essex, he moved once again to London, whence he was driven by the plague of 1572–1573 to find refuge at Trinity Hall, being matriculated as a servant of the college in 1573. At the time of his death he was in possession of a small estate at Chesterton, Cambridgeshire, and his will proves that he was not, as has sometimes been stated, in poverty of any kind, but had in some measure the thrift he preached. Tusser died on 3 May 1580 at the age of about 55. An erroneous inscription at Manningtree, Essex, asserts that he was 65 years old. According to John Stow's Survey of London, Cheape Ward, Thomas Tusser was buried in the now lost church of St Mildred in the Poultry. The inscription on his tomb there was as follows: "Here Thomas Tusser, clad in earth, doth lie, That sometime made the pointes of Husbandrie; By him then learne thou maiest; here learne we must, When all is done, we sleepe, and turne to dust: And yet, through Christ, to Heaven we hope to goe; Who reades his bookes, shall find his faith was so." Cagle - A Matter of Taste, p1034-1035. Bitting - Gastronomic Bibliography, p468. Lehman - The British Housewife, P29. Pollard & Redgrave – STC 1475 to 1640, p568-569 showing 20 editions up to 1638.

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Antiquarian category
ref number: 11247

Soyer.   Alexis Benoit     Rare; signed twice.
Written by Soyer, whilst in the Crimea.
"Scutari Barrack Hospital, Constantinople. 26th April 1855. My Dear Sir I am happy to inform you that since the last time I had the pleasure of shaking hands with you, I have employed my time with the greatest success and no doubt inform the receipt you will have heard thro the public press of the rapid progress I have made – I have now left for a few days the great Barrack Hospital of Scutari for Kullalee, where my services are also required - I shall shortly proceed to Balaclava. I have not yet presented my accounts which I need hardly say far exceeds the amount advanced me by the Government, having brought with me two cooks from Paris, besides my Secretary, but will do so very shortly – A Soyer - I apprehend W. Hilton, the Purveyor in Chief is the gentleman to whom I shall have to apply – With the highest consideration I have the honour to be yours very ably. A Soyer. ___ Croome Esquire."
1½ pages of Soyer's light script written while in the Crimea. Signed at the bottom of the first page, including the extra half page postscript with the second signature. Measuring 13 x 7½ inches with folds‚ in good clean condition‚ with an integral blank leaf. The letter housed in a slip inside a handsome folder with red marbled paper and label.
- The Crimean War was a military conflict fought between October 1853 and March 1856, in which Russia lost to an alliance of France, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia. Alexis Soyer (1810 – 1858)‚ the French chef who became the most celebrated cook in Victorian England, enhanced his reputation by his involvement in the welfare of the wounded soldiers in the war. His reputation was already assured as he had also worked to alleviate the suffering of the Irish poor in the Great Irish Famine (1845–1849)‚ and towards their relief, he contributed a penny for every copy sold of his pamphlet 'The Poor Man's Regenerator' (pub; 1847). During the Crimean War‚ Soyer went to the Crimea at his own expense to advise the army on cooking more nutritious and healthy food. Later he was paid his expenses and wages equivalent to those of a Brigadier-General. In the North Wales Chronicle of Saturday May 5th 1855, in a quite full account written by Soyer himself and sent to the paper, we learn that he opened his large kitchen on the site of a previous Turkish kitchen, on Easter Monday at the huge Barrack Hospital in Scutari. Present was a number of Ladies and Gentlemen who tasted the new diet, compared to dishes alongside of the old diet. It was a huge success. In the article, Soyer expresses a fulsome gratitude to Florence Nightingale for her good organisational skills and help in providing him with all the materials he needed to start the Kitchen. (It is recorded elsewhere however, that she did not much appreciate Soyer and his efforts, openly criticising him). Soyer's work was very successful; it started to save countless lives that otherwise, before his efforts, would have been lost. The mortality rate alone at Scutari's Barrack Hospital was 100 soldiers and upwards daily. An unimaginable toll. Florence Nightingale's well documented, heroic nursing standards were not enough. However much Nightingale was put out by the flamboyant Soyer, the pragmatic synergy between their differing aspects of care; medical combined with a nutritious balanced diet was crucial. In the "Memoirs of Soyer" written and published 1859, by his two secretaries, F.Volant & J.R.Warren, they inform us that the death rate was putting such a strain on the hospital staff, that the bodies were just rolled up in their bed blankets and buried in mass pits. Soyer also provided the new diet at Balaclava, and at three institutions at Kullalee, and was very well supported there by Lady Stafford, having been previously interviewed about his Catering needs by her husband, Lord Stafford. At that time also, Soyer was waiting for his soon-to-be-famous new model camp-stove which was capable of cooking continuously for 200 soldiers every three hours. One can only imagine the magnitude of effort there. Soyer himself did not escape unscathed. His two secretaries also write that Soyer himself, due to overwork, fever and severe dysentery over a long period of time nearly died. Interestingly, he was saved by the intelligent ministrations of a very young 21 year old doctor, Mr Ambler. Despite, at first, large misgivings about the young Dr Ambler, he quickly revived Soyer with a diet of iced drinks, a little solid food and a daily quantity of eggs beaten up with port wine. For the rest of his time in the Crimea, the young doctor became a very good friend and companion to an extremely grateful Soyer. Finally, at the end of the Welsh newspaper article is a wonderful praising statement by Brigadier General, Commanding Troops - W. Pauley, where he fully approves of the way Soyer has taken the usual provisions, re-arranged the proportions and made such a difference with the simple act of cooking. As all Soyer’s personal papers were burned just after his death, then this extremely rare and pertinent letter, could only have come from the aforementioned Mr Cromme’s extant estate.

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Ephemera category
ref number: 11244

Fagan.   Louis     - An in-house look at Soyer's impact on the Reform Club.
1836 - 1886. The Reform Club:
ITS FOUNDERS AND ARCHITECT. BY LOUIS FAGAN, Of the Department of Prints and Drawings, the British Museum. Honorary Member of the Society of Engravers of France; Author of "The Life of Sir Anthony Panizzi, "K.C.B.;" "The Art of Michelangelo;" "Catalogue Raisonne of the Works of William Woollett;" "Collectors Marks," "Raphael's Sonnett;" etc., etc. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR. LONDON Bernard Quaritch, 15 PICCADILLY 1887.
Large 4vo. 1fep with frontis illustration of the Reform Club library on verso. The Title page in red and black text. The verso with a printers device. List of Illustrtions. [1] (1)vi-viii List of 143 illustrations. 1 page Preface by Louis Fagan. [1] (1)2-143. [1] (1)ii-xiii Index. [1] 1fep. Except for a little water-staining on the borders of the frontis, everything as new. The cover has been very sympathetically rebound recently in the same blue cloth cover as the original and the original gilt lettering on boards and spine. Almost as new.
- The 19th century brought an explosion in the popularity of gentlemen's clubs, particularly around the 1880s. At their height, London had over 400 such establishments. This expansion can be explained in part by the large extensions of the franchise in the Reform Acts of 1832, 1867, and 1885. Each time, hundreds of thousands more men were qualified to vote, and it was common for them to feel that they had been elevated to the status of a gentleman, thus they sought a club. The existing clubs, with strict limits on membership numbers and long waiting lists, were generally wary of such newly enfranchised potential members, and so these people began forming their own clubs. Each of the three great Reform Acts corresponded with a further expansion of clubs, as did a further extension of the franchise in 1918. Many of these new, more inclusive clubs proved just as reluctant as their forebears to admit new members when the franchise was further extended. An increasing number of clubs were characterised by their members' interest in politics, literature, sport, art, automobiles, travel, particular countries, or some other pursuit. In other cases, the connection between the members was membership of the same branch of the armed forces, or the same school or university. Thus, the growth of clubs provides an indicator as to what was considered a respectable part of the Establishment at the time. There are perhaps some 25 traditional London gentlemen's clubs of particular note, from The Arts Club to White's, Brooks etc. The Reform Club on the south side of Pall Mall in central London was founded on February 2nd 1836 by Edward Ellice, Member of Parliament for Coventry and Whig Whip, whose riches came from the Hudson's Bay Company, but whose zeal was chiefly devoted to securing the passage of the Reform Act 1832. Significantly, The Reform Club it was the first to change its rules to include the admission of women on equal terms in 1981. It also attracts a significant number of foreign members, such as diplomats accredited to the Court of St. James's. The Reform was known for the quality of its cuisine. Its first chef being Alexis Soyer, the first celebrity chef and cookery book author. He was followed by Charles Elme Francatelli, a former Head Chef of Queen Victoria. This a very handsome copy printed when the Club was at its height.

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Information

Antiquarian category
ref number: 11209

Ramsay.   Gordon     - A signed copy
3 Star Chef.
GORDON RAMSAY (Three silver stars in a line) PHOTOGRAPHS BY Quentin Bacon QUADRILLE.
FIRST EDITION. 2007. Large Folio 340mm x 270mm. 1fep. 1+Title page. 2p Photographs. 1p Contents. 1p + 3p Introduction by Ramsay. 2p Photographs. 12-251. 252 Glossary. 253-255 Index. 256 Acknowledgements. 1fep. The Title page has a planche of handmade paper tipped in with Ramsay's signature on it, also an ink inscription indicating a Xmas present. A full white glossy cover with silver writing on the spine. With a white d/w with silver writing on cover and spine. Housed in a silvery grey coloured slip-case with white writing. Condition as new.
- Gordon Ramsay, a one time commis chef and protege of Marco Pierre White. He earned his own three Michelin stars at his restaurant on Royal Hospital Rd, Chelsea, London. (Previously on the same site, the restaurant 'La Tante Claire' under Pierre Koffman also had three Michelin stars). Ramsay has also been awarded seven other Michelin stars for his restaurants at Claridge's, The Connaught, Petrus at the Berkley Hotel, Maze and the Savoy Grill. He has since opened other establishments around the globe. The book is a very handsome production set out in the modern classic format featuring fifty of Ramsay's classic (his description) dishes all highlighted by beautiful full page photographs and very detailed recipes. As intended, this gives an insight into the standards required to gain and maintain three Michelin stars. Visually impressive, one's taste buds tingle with the assumption the smells and taste are just as good. A must for any serious modern cookery book collection. Must rank alongside the other literary efforts of Blumenthal, Adria, Robuchon, the Roux Brothers, Koffmann, Stein, Ducasse et al.

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Information

Modern category
ref number: 11065

David.   Elizabeth     - A very scarce set.
4 Recipe Booklets.
1. Syllabubs and Fruit Fools. 2. English Potted Meats and Fish Pates. 3. Dried Herbs, Aromatics and Condiments. 4. The Baking of an English Loaf.
All booklets 150x112 mm. #1. A Second edition of 1971. 20p with a blue water stain running thro' all the pages, not too bad. #2. A first edition n/d but copyrighted 1968. 20p and unblemished. #3. A first edition n/d but copyrighted 1969. 20p. A nice copy with a very small stain dot on the front cover. #4. A first edition n/d but copyrighted 1969. 24p. A nice clean copy. Overall four very nice items and very scarce as a full set.
- Elizabeth David CBE (born Elizabeth Gwynne, 26 December 1913 – 22 May 1992) was a British cookery writer who, in the mid-20th century, strongly influenced the revitalisation of the art of home cookery with articles and books about European cuisines and traditional British dishes. Her prose style was at once imperious, informative, passionate and above all evocative. Her books have truly inspired generations to step into the kitchen heat and find that passion for themselves. She wrote in Vogue in 1960 after visiting Cavaillon, in Provence, on market day. "Here you can buy everything for a picnic lunch beautiful sprawling ripe tomatoes, a Banon cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves, Arles sausages, pate, black olives, butter cut from a towering monolith". David opened a kitchen utensil shop with friends (with whom she later, inevitably, fell out) at 64 Bourne St, London SW1, selling the artisan cooking pots and equipment she loved and that everyone else later copied. Its launch in 1965 was headline news. She was responsible for Le Creuset introducing its traditional orange coloured cast-iron pans in blue - inspired by the colour of her Gauloise cigarette packet. These four booklets were published at various dates during the 60's and 70's and sold at Bourne St. The shop continued to trade under her name after she left it in 1973. Also at the same time, working with the food photographer Anthony Denney, she changed the way recipes were presented in magazines. No studio shots of mashed potato masquerading as ice-cream as was the practice then; the photographs are simply of what she had cooked. Her life was remarkable and her legacy astonishing. Her brilliant writing was the outcome of racketing around the Mediterranean, travelling, drinking and eating alone in Italy, and holing herself up in Ross-on-Wye with another man while her husband was in India. By all accounts she could be disagreeable, but that shouldn't put anyone off her books. And now that we know how extraordinarily racy her life was there's even more reason not to forget her.

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Ephemera category
ref number: 11172

Escoffier.   Georges Auguste     - With 2 very scare recipe booklets.
6 ITEMS OF ESCOFFIER RELATED EPHEMERA.
ITEM1. Wholesale Department:- RIDGEMONT STREET. (Off Shore Street) TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, LONDON, WC. Inside it tells us: ESCOFFIER PREPARATIONS. Manufactured under the Supervision of MONS. ESCOFFIER. of the Carlton Hotel. London. With lists of all Escoffier items and prices. ITEM 2. A canned autobiography of Escoffier from the Foundation Auguste Escoffier. UN DES GRANDS MAITRES DE LA CUISINE FRANCAISE. 1846 - 1935. ITEM 3. A booklet of Escoffier recipes for a GUIDE de la CUISINIERE. Contenant de NOMBREUSES RECETTES NOUVELLES. Edite par le ~Bouillon "KUB". ITEM 4. A booklet of of Escoffier recipes for a A Chaque mois de l'Annee... ses viandes, poissins, volailles•gibiers, legumes. `Conseils et Recettes. La bonne cuisine par tous. ITEM 5. An original b/w photograph of the Carlton Hotel, Pall Mall, London. ITEM 6. A b/w photograph of Escoffier with top-hat viewing exhibits at a Salon Culinaire in London.
ITEM 1. A four-page promotional pamphlet: 237 x 143mm. Ornate front cover with a red jar of Escoffier Pickles. All items priced. Good condition. ITEM 2. 240 x 160mm. (1) With illustration of an older Escoffier. 4-9 The main dated milestones of key times in Escoffier's life. 10-49 with many unseen photographs of Escoffier and his kitchen brigades. Packed with many unknown facts from the Master's life. The covers and internally in fine condition. ITEM 3. 180 x 135mm. p1 Advertisement. Frontis on the Verso of a table laden with foods. A letter written by Escoffier dated Paris, Octobre 1922. p6. Termes Culinaires. 7-71. [1] Age dusted carboard covers and the front cover with text in red and ornate border. Internally clean. ITEM 4. 180 x 138mm. A rectangular booklet. Inside cover advertising 'Kub' Buillon. A title page of a letter date July 1st 1925. [1] p3. Du choix des plats de season. 1926. 4-31. Inside cover advertising 'Kub' et Poule au Pot'. `Dark blue cardboard covers with a little boy chef on the front. Fine condition. ITEM 5. A b/w photograph of Escoffier of the Carlton Hotel when Escoffier was the Chef de Cuisine. ITEM 6. A fine b/w photographs of Escoffier at a Salon Culinaire pasted to the insider page of the marbled cardboard folder housing all the items.
- Escoffier, (1846-1935) was not only a great and famous chef, but a little known fact was that he was also a relentless innovator, as can be seen by the large range of sauces, soups, pickles, consomme, vinegars etc (even the famous Sauce Melba) featured in the 4 page pamphlet of Escoffier Sauces. This came about because of his laudable belief that making life and kitchen tasks easier for the professional and the home cooks was an inevitable need and necessity, which he understood and very clearly stated in his great cookery classic 'Le Guide Culinaire'. Reading the preface of this great book we can see the practical, as well as his heartfelt understanding of people's constant desire for change was an ongoing negative human condition thro' the ages. Escoffier tried to explain that the secret to alleviating this restless innovation, will come about by cooking the timeless classics as well as possible, instead of the constant search for novelty. Probably the most lasting but least known food item that he developed and started producing on a large commercial scale, was tinned tomatoes. The other two rare booklets also pre-date a very modern trend of promoting processed food items aimed at the home cook. The autobiographical booklet is fascinating as a condensed look at Escoffier's life put together by the Escoffier foundation at 3, rue Auguste Escoffier. 06270 Villeneuve-Loubet Village and it's Chairman, Michel Escoffier, the great man's grandson. An unusual collection.

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Ephemera category
ref number: 11317

Anon.       - A rare dinner invitation to the Crown & Anchor Tavern, and the Duke's signature.
77th Anniversary Dinner for the Cumberland Society
ITEM 1. FRIDAY 1ST, MAY, 1812, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland in the Chair. Stewards. H.R.H. Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. The Rt, Mounsey Esqr. Tho. Monkhouse Esqr. Josh. Lowden Esqr. Heny. Oliphant Esqr. Isaac Armstrong Esqr. Stephen Morton Esqr. Wm. Sanderson Esqr. Tho. Mounsey Esq. John Carruthers Esqr. Dinner on Table at 5 o' Clock precisely. Tickets 15/s Each. No. (With an engraving of ULLSWATER from GABBAROW PARK) ITEM 2. The signature of 'Ernest' H.R.H The Duke of Cumberland, cut from the end of an autographed letter. ITEM 3. An original envelope addressed by the King (the Duke of Cumberland became the King of Hanover in 1837) to 'His Grace The Duke of Buckingham and Chandos', signed 'Ernest' on the lower left. Also annotated: King of Hanover, July 28th 1843. The envelope also has the King's black wax seal.
205x156mm. One light cardboard sheet beautifully inscribed with a lovely engraving of Ullswater by Silvester sc. Very lightly age browned but overall in very nice condition. With a manuscript ink inscription price for £10.10.0 at the top right hand corner. Blank on the verso except for an ink inscription; W. Warrington.
- The Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand was a well-known London landmark, as well as being a dining room of repute. The Tavern after it was rebuilt in 1790 had a large meeting/function room that could seat up to two thousand or more. The famous cooks, F. Collingwood and J. Woolams (images 3&4 below), authors of the cookery book 'The Universal Cook' were serving their tenure there at the time of this Cumberland Society dinner. The Tavern had two entrances, one on the Strand and the other on Arundel St. It is referred to in Stow's 'Survey of London and Westminster' of 1720 as boasting associations with Johnson, Boswell and Reynolds. The meeting hall at the Tavern was long associated with radical politics. Sympathisers of the French Revolution gathered there in the 1790s to commemorate the storming of the Bastille. Used as well as headquarters for Francis Burdett and other ardent reformers. It is also recorded that in the year 1799 the Tavern was the No.1 Grand Master’s Lodge, in the correct list of all the Lodges in London of the most ancient and honourable fraternity of free and accepted Masons of England. His Royal Highness Ernest Augustus, The Duke of Cumberland, who presided over this grand 77th Anniversary Dinner of the Cumberland Society was born on 5th June, 1771 and was by birth the 5th, but in survivor-ship the 2nd son of King George 111 and Queen Charlotte. He became King of Hanover on the death of his elder brother, King William the 1V, in 1837. He died in 1851. The Cumberland Society was formed by his Grandfather the Duke of Cumberland. (1721-65) In 1775 his son also the Duke of Cumberland & Strathearn founded the Cumberland Society Fleet for racing on the Thames. This was the precursor to the Royal Thames Yacht Club, formed in 1830 under the patronage King William IV. It is the oldest continually operating yacht club in the UK today. The present Duke whose dinner invitation is on view here, was carrying on the business of a venerable tradition that was the Cumberland Society. Three pertinent rare ephemeral items that have lasted well.

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Ephemera category
ref number: 11053

Anon.      
A CENTURY OF PROGRESS.
1831 - 1931 CADBURY BOURNVILLE. By T. B. Rogers. Editor of the Bournvile Works Magazine.
Slim 4to. 254 x 192 x 9mm. 1fep. with a single Compliment sheet from Cadbury. Title page. On verso the Contents. A Forward, dated March 26th 1931. On verso a Photograph of Bournville Works, circa the early 30's. 5 - 87. p88. Bournville growth chart. (1) 1fep. Cardboard covers in Blue and Black. Back cover in white and black. Very clean. In fine condition. Also enclosed. ITEM 2. 10p Sales catalogue for Supex Ltd. of 222 Cork St. London. By Appointment to H.M. GEORGE V. Very clean.
- A very interesting hundred years of history celebrated, from the very humble beginnings of the mighty Cadbury chocolate company. Initially in 1831, the young Quaker, John Cadbury, started out as a tea and coffee dealer at 93 Bull Street, Birmingham, UK. He was the first to install plate-glass windows so that passers-by could see better, his display of Teas, Coffee and Cocoa Nibs. Inside, the counter was manned by a regal Chinaman in the full Chinese glory of his native costume. It seems John Cadbury had a full quota of sales and marketing instincts and skills early in his business life. The book charts the full rise of the company in wonderful detail with black and white and colour pictures and charts and drawings. There is a lot of sympathetic acknowledgement of all who worked and helped to grow the company. From a full page of 12 black and white photographs of the key pioneers of those early days to the last page, where in 1928 we see the visit to the factory of Sir Ofori Atta, Paramount Chief of the African Gold Coast province of Akim Abuaka, where cocoa was one of the main crops. There is also acknowledgement that the company was an important influence on the future sovereign state of Ghana. This beautiful company history book is a fine example of what it takes, and for how long, to build a large global brand. Fascinating.!

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Information

Modern category
ref number: 11261

David.   Elizabeth     - Inscribed by E.D. and with a Xmas card from her publisher.
A Book of Mediterranean Food.
A Book of Mediterranean FOOD By Elizabeth David. Decorated by John Minton. John Lehman Ltd. London.
FIRST EDITION.1950. With nice clean John Minton designed d/j with small chip at top and bottom of spine. With inscription on fep in E.D's own distinctive handwriting -- "With the very best wishes for E.P. Warner June 1950". Half Title. Frontispiece and Title page. Introduction pp.v-viii. Acknowledgments pp.ix-x. 2pp Contents. 2pp. Soup.[15-181] (1) Index. pp.183-191. 1fep. With John Minton illustrations through out. Also enclosed is a Xmas Card designed by John Minton. The message reads "A Happy Christmas from John Lehman" It has been signed in blue ink by Lehman "To Elizabeth 1951"
- John Lehman was the entrepreneurial publisher of the adventurous and prestigious Penguin New Writing. He was unsure of E.D's original messy manuscript declaring it the untidiest he had ever received. In spite of his original misgivings he eventually became thrilled with the work and paid her an advance of £100.oo: £50.oo on signature of the contract and £50.oo on publication. No one at that time could possibly envisage the massive influence she would exert on a generation of food enthusiasts, cooks and chefs and the admiration and love in which she and her precise, captivating and eloquent writing would be regarded. This is a fine and very unique copy of E.D's first book. As she was not so well known at this time, copies of the first edition of 'Mediterranean Food' with inscriptions are very rare.

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Modern category
ref number: 10995

Kent.   Elizabeth Grey, Countess of     - A 17th century 'ladies closet' revealed.
A Choice Manual, or rare secrets in physick and chirugery;
Collected, & practised by the Right Honourable the Countess of Kent, Late deceased. Whereto are added several Experiments of the vertue of Gascons powder, and Lapis contra Yarvam by a Professor of Physick. As also most exquisite ways of Preserving, Conserving, Candying, etc. The Nineteenth Edition. London, Printed for H. Mortlock at the Phoenix in St. Pauls Churchyard. 1687. WITH A SECOND PART: A True Gentlewomans DELIGHT. Wherein is contain'd all manner of COOKERY. Together with: Preserving, Conserving, Drying, and Candying. Very necessary for all Ladies and Gentlewomen. Published by W.G. Gent. LONDON, Printed for Henry Mortlock, at the Phoenix in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1687.
Small 12mo. Portrait frontispiece. (it has been bound in on the recto instead of the usual verso) Title page. 2pp Epistle by W.J. 2pp 'To the Reader' 10pp 'Contents' (1-234) THE 2ND PART: Separate pagination - 6pp 'Table of Contents' Title page. 2pp Epistle by W.J. 2pp 'To the Reader' 14pp 'Contents' (1-140) Contemporary black goatskin boards re-laid, surface quite worn but with a nice patina. Dark calf, blind ruled spine re-laid, blind fillet border on sides, re-cased using old paper, new sewn headband, very sound. Internally very clean with mild overall aging.
- Elizabeth Grey, Countess of Kent, born December 7th 1582 - died 1651, née Lady Elizabeth Talbot, was the wife of Henry Grey, 8th Earl of Kent. She was a daughter of Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury and Mary Cavendish. She married Grey on November 16, 1601, at St Martin's-in-the-Fields. They had no children, and the Earl died in 1639. Afterward she is thought to have married the writer, John Selden, who had worked for the Earl. After her death, her collection of medical recipes was published as 'A Choice Manual, or Rare Secrets in Physick and Chirurgery Collected and Practised by the Right Honourable the Countess of Kent, late deceased'. Her collection of cookery recipes were also added to the book as a second part. It was an interest she shared with her younger sister, Alethea Howard, Countess of Arundel. Sometimes, complete and separately bound copies of the 2nd part - 'A True Gentlewoman's Delight' are sold at auction, one such being offered at Bloomsbury Book Auctions in 2006. However complete copies like this one with both parts present are rare and much more desirable. This book, because of its small size (not much bigger than a miniature) and having the original cover, with the frontis of the Countess's rather crude but interesting portrait and the thick text block with under-developed remedies and recipes, has the ability to stop a person in their tracks. Keeping in mind the method now to digitally produce very glossy, high resolution, colourful cookery books, that on reflection, when held against this very old book, gives one a sharp sense of both that time and now, and the amazing changes to our world in those 323 intervening years. It also makes one ponder on how our endeavors will be viewed over 300 years from now; with the same sense of incredulous wonder I should imagine!

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Antiquarian category
ref number: 10933