Mrs. Beeton’s All About Cookery

6W Mrs. Isabella Beeton. With 8 colored plates and nearly 150 illustrations. London: Ward, Lock & Co., ca. 1920

Notes

Mrs. Beeton’s All About Cookery is a later culinary volume associated with the enduring legacy of Mrs. Isabella Beeton, whose name became synonymous with practical household instruction in Victorian Britain. Like her earlier and more famous Book of Household Management, this work gathers a wide range of recipes and cooking techniques intended for everyday use in the home. The book provides clear guidance on preparing meats, soups, vegetables, breads, and desserts, while also offering practical advice on kitchen organization and meal planning. Designed to be accessible and reliable, the volume reflects the continuing popularity of Mrs. Beeton’s approach to domestic management, which emphasized efficiency, clarity, and the careful running of the household kitchen.

Although Isabella Beeton herself died in 1865, her name continued to appear on numerous cookery books and revised editions issued by later publishers who built upon her original work. Her writings helped standardize the format of modern cookbooks by presenting recipes with structured ingredient lists, precise measurements, and clear instructions. Through books such as All About Cookery, Mrs. Beeton’s influence extended well into the twentieth century, and her name remained closely associated with dependable culinary guidance for generations of home cooks.

The cultural influence of her work was such that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in his study of married life “A Duet, with an Occasional Chorus,” humorously observed through his heroine that “Mrs. Beeton must have been the finest housekeeper in the world. Therefore, Mr. Beeton must have been the happiest and most comfortable man,” adding that her book “has more wisdom to the square inch than any work of man.” The remark reflects the lasting reputation Mrs. Beeton’s writings achieved as practical guides to the art of running a household.

Description

Army green canvas binding with black lettering to spine and gilt crest to upper board. Bumped upper points. Endpapers with advertisements. Illustrations and figures throughout. Fine condition.