The Geneva Cook Book [New York 19th Century Charity Cookbook]

Geneva, NY: Press of W.F. Humphrey, 1895. First Edition, First Printing. Cloth Hardcover. Very Good/No Dust Jacket As Issued.

Original patterned cloth boards lettered in gray. 8vo; 9.25 inches tall; [5], 6-240 pages. Advertising matter of local merchants interspersed throughout

The bindings are tight and square with the front hinge starting. Text clean, light even toning. Moderate shelf handling wear.

A very uncommon New York State community cookbook, OCLC/WorldCat locates 8 copies held worldwide. This cookbook, a hidden gem for Geneva enthusiasts and culinary historians alike, was crafted to support the alma mater of (truncated) the pioneering female MD graduate from Geneva Medical College.

With a unique twist, recipes unfold ingredient details in essay-like form rather than modern lists. Amidst these culinary insights, charming period ads for banks and cookstoves add nostalgia. The book's mission was to enlighten women in Culinary Science, amassing funds for the institution while offering practical guidance for efficient homemaking.

Its thoughtful compilation echoes a belief in informed housekeeping as a scholarly endeavor, evidenced by well-researched recipes spanning breads, meats, sauces, and more.

The cookbook acknowledges the hectic lives of homemakers, presenting straightforward instructions for a seamless gastronomic journey. (Inventory #: 17202)