A New System of Domestic Cookery: Formed Upon Principles of Economy; and Adapted to the Use of Private Families
London: Printed for J. Murray and J. Harding, 1806.
First edition. (Title page dated 1806; actually printed in late 1805 according to Peter Isaac in "Maria Eliza Rundell and Her Publisher.") [iv], xx, 290 pp. with illustrated frontispiece. Recent full morocco with gilt spine lettering on morocco labels, new endpapers. Some foxing, edge wear, and staining to contents; small upper marginal tidemark to last 50 pages or so with a bit more foxing. Contemporary owner's inscription on half title dated 1806, later owner's bookplate (R. Arthur Bowler of the U of Buffalo, who used this copy for a 1998 reprint) on paste down. Quite rare in the first edition, Cagle and Stafford found no copies of the UK first for their American Books on Food & Drink. The most popular cookbook of the early 19th century, which eventually was published in 67 editions and proved to be very popular in the United States, remaining in print until the 1880s. The author has been called "the first domestic goddess." It was published anonymously for propriety's sake, as writing a book was seen as less than respectable for society lady like Rundell. This would not help her later in a court battle with the publisher John Murray, whose empire she helped build.
Price: $7,500.00