Archive.org has a host of old cookery books (from mid-19th to mid-20th Century) available in many formats and on a host of topics. I happened across a few in my Pinterest feed and gone completely down the rabbit hole in this treasure trove of information. Sure some ideas might be out of date, but you never know what you might find when you explore these books. I’ll be sharing more books as I find them in the coming weeks. –Douglas
Historical Cooking Books: Cookery and pastry by Susanna Maciver (1782) – 32 in a series
What might you find in these old cookbooks? What special recipes have been handed down to you? Share in the Comments!
Available in PDF, Text, JPG formats, and more
THE Author’s situation in life hath led her to be much conversant in Cookery, Pastry, &c. and afforded her ample opportunity of knowing the most approved methods practiced by others, and also of making experiments of her own. Some years ago she opened a school in this city for instructing young Ladies in this necessary branch of female education, and she hath the satisfaction to find that success hath accompanied her labours. And many of her scholars, and others, having repeatedly solicited her to make her receipts public; these felicitations, joined to an hearty desire of doing every thing that it was thought could be useful in the way of her business, have at length determined her to this publication. She is far from thinking this little Book perfect ; but as all the receipts contained in it have been frequently practiced by her, she is hopeful it will be found a good practical treatise.
Edinburgh, November 1773
* A portion of each sale from Amazon.com directly supports our blogs
** Many of these books may be available from your local library. Check it out!
† Available from the LA Public Library