What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking, Soups, Pickles, Preserves, Etc.
San Francisco: Women's Co-operative Printing Office, 1881.
First edition, first printing of the second cookbook published in America by an African-American woman and the third to be published by any African-American. Preceded only by the extremely rare A Domestic Cook Book by Mrs. Malinda Russell in 1866. Bound in publisher's original brown cloth ruled in blind and stamped in gilt. 72pp. Near fine with rubbing ad wear to cloth, contents toned with sporadic soiling, small light stains and faint creases. Fisher, born a slave in Mobile, Alabama, moved to San Francisco after the Civil War and became a successful caterer, known for her recipes like oyster pie and pepper mangoes. She and her husband owned a pickle factory in San Francisco, where she won numerous awards for her preserves at county fairs. Mrs. Fisher was illiterate, and had a friend help her write her book. From the author's preface: “The publication of a book on my knowledge and experience of Southern Cooking, Pickle and Jelly Making, has been frequently asked of me by my lady friends and patrons in San Francisco and Oakland, and also by ladies of Sacramento during the State Fair in 1879. Not being able to read or write myself, and my husband also having been without the advantages of an education – upon whom would devolve the writing of the book at my dictation – caused me to doubt whether I would be able to present a work that would give perfect satisfaction. But, after due consideration, I concluded to bring forward a book of my knowledge – based on an experience of upwards of thirty-five years – in the art of cooking Soups, Gumbos, Terrapin Stews, Meat Stews, Baked and Roast Meats, Pastries, Pies and Biscuits, making Jellies, Pickles, Sauces, Ice-creams and Jams, preserving Fruits, etc. The book will be found a complete instructor, so that a child can understand it and learn the art of cooking.” One of the rarest American cookbooks, as many copies were destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and subsequent fires. Bitting, p. 158; Culinary America, 29.
Price: $22,000.00