Dr Holbrook's American Cookery
Melbourne, E W Cole Book Arcade, [ca.1888]. Holbrook, M L. Dr Holbrook's American Cookery...with an Australian Appendix... [FIRST EDITION - AUSTRALIA] E W Cole, Book Arcade: Melbourne, [1888]. 8vo (180x120mm) HC, [1-13],14-174,[2]pp.
Second-hand hardcover
HOLBROOK, M L [Martin Luther (1831-1902)]
Dr Holbrook’s American Cookery, a book comprising (1) the science of eating – (2) 500 receipts for wholesome cooking – (3) 100 receipts for wholesome drinks – (4) 100 answers to questions relating to diet and health with an Australian Appendix of over 100 refreshing drinks for all seasons.
Melbourne : E W Cole, Book Arcade, [1888]. First Edition thus. Printed by Pater & Knapton, Printers, E., Melbourne.
Octavo (180x120mm) russet Morocco-grained, blind stamped boards, tilt stamped title to upper board, all edges red; stapled and sewn, [1-13],14-174,[2]pp. Numerous Australian advertisements with engraved illustrations throughout the text. Board edges rubbed, corners lightly bruised, a few blemishes; endpapers offset-toned; hinges softening and partially exposed but holding; lacks pp113-114 (a blank page entitled “Page for Notes and Memoranda”); spine cracked at pps.80-81 and 128-9; staples starting, small, closed tear to p.164 not affecting the text.
¶ The preface by W T Pyke (E W Cole’s first assistant) notes that it was reprinted from the 7th American edition [of Holbrook’s “Eating for Strength”, the Author [ca.1888]]. The author of the Australian Appendix is not given. The Appendix subtitled “Easily Prepared Drinks for All Seasons” (pps.147-161) contains drinks from fresh ingredients and powders, Soyer’s new and cheap drinks, sick room drinks, winter drinks and Dr Chases’s temperance beverages. There are numerous recipes for ginger beer.
Holbrook was a physician and vegetarianism activist based in New York, associated with the natural hygiene and physical culture movements of the 1870s-1890s. A successful author, Holbrook self-published most of his books.
An early Australian published cookery book, mostly American (and mostly vegetarian) with additional Australian content published (and possibly compiled) by one of the most unusual, eccentric, and successful booksellers of all time, E W Cole.
Scarce in this format with the added appendix.
§ OCLC records 7 holdings, 6 in Australia and UC San Diego.
§ Hoyle 639; cf Bitting p.232 for the American edition “Eating for Strength”; not in Cagle & Stafford;
Item #10114
Price: $750.00 AUD