1850 Modern Cookery in All Its Branches by Eliza Acton / Longman, Brown, Green & Longmans London / Fore-Runner to Mrs Beeton / 174 Years Old

Here is a wonderful antique copy of Modern Cookery, In All Its Branches by Eliza Acton. Dating back 174 years to 1850. Published by Longmans, Brown, Green and Longmans, London. With eight engraved illustrated plates and a number of other engraved diagrams in the text (see photos). Being the fore-runner to Mrs Beeton - and indeed the latter is said to have copied several of the recipes from this book. Acton's work is widely regarded as a cookery classic.

Often, as they were so frequently used and such an essential part of the Victorian household, cookery books of this age have not survived well. This copy however, is in good condition. There are, of course, some condition points to note, detailed below.

This is a large and comprehensive book with over 600 pages. I have been through and checked every one! Opens onto decorative endpapers, with a recipe list attached to the back rear paste down (see photos). With a mildly cracked hinge at the front, but in no way effecting the text block which remains extremely tightly bound. All of the eight monochrome engraved plates are present. They have some spotting and some brown staining along the edges. One page has a small tear at the bottom, but this is minor and does not prevent the reading of the text. The pages have the odd spot and brown blemish, and the occasional folded corner. Some of the top corners have some light brown staining. This copy has not been written in, there is a small blind stamp with the original owner's name at the top of the half-title page, but no other markings of previous ownership.

Light brown cloth covered boards have a blind-stamped border on the front and back, and gilt decoration to the spine. With some rubbing to the corners and some bumping along the fore-edges. With some light rubbing to the cloth and one scuff to the rear board. The spine has stayed in very good condition indeed for a book of this age. The gilt is shiny bright. There is a little splitting and fraying of the cloth along the spine joints, but this is to the surface cloth only and the binding is good and strong.

A fascinating historical reference, still useful today and looking eye-catching on display.

Your antique copy of Eliza Acton's Modern Cookery will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

H 17.5 cm x W 11.5 cm, 608 pages, plus 32 pages of publisher's adverts at the rear, 0.6 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to). 

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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