The Household Treasure, or, The Young Housewife’s Companion. Containing Complete Instructions In, and Receipts for Preparing Breakfast Dishes, Bread, Biscuits, etc…
Philadelphia: Published by J. Thomas Huey & Co., 1871. First edition. With eight vibrant color plates, of which half are food described in recipes and half are advertisements. Some foxing and stains throughout. First hinge is loose. Rubbing to spine. Includes cut out of cookie recipe laid in. A good copy of an uncommon book. Green cloth boards. Cover stamped in guilt: “Presented by Averill Barlow.” (Other copies were stamped with the names of other presenter.). Small octavo. 158 pp. + ads. Item #17828
According to the preface, The Household Treasure aims to serve as a “useful and economical” reference guide for the head of the family, particularly for “house-keepers with small incomes.” The book includes recipes using a variety of meats and vegetables, along with recipes for various puddings and cakes. The book concludes with recipes for cooking for the sick (such as “Nourishing Soup for Invalids” and “Very Strong Beef Tea”) and useful tips for housekeepers (on the creation of solutions to cement broken china or polish tables, for example.) There are advertisements throughout the book, on a range of topics from Brokers to Harding’s Editions of Bibles.
Price: $150.00