English recipe book, early 18th century

English medical recipe collection, largely in a single early-eighteenth century hand, prefaced by an index. With additional observations on herbs and drugs, including directions on how 'to chuse druggs' [pp. 248-250], and some veterinary recipes [pp. 263-268]. Among medical authorities cited are 'Sir Tho: Brown' [Sir Thomas Brown (1605-1682)], 'Doctor Thomas Short of London' [Sir Thomas Short (1635-1685)], 'Sir John Hinton' [(1603-1682)], and 'Sir Francis Pridgeon' [Sir Francis Prujean (1597-1666)]. Reference to ' a medicine for biting of a mad dog as was sd to be used 1729' (p. 174) provides some additional guidance to dating the compilation, although it is possible that this entry is of consdierably later date than the earliest ones.

Early 18th century

1 volume 1 volume: 285 x 180 mm. 6 leaves + 175 pp. (page 67 repeated) + 46 leaves (mainly blank). Watermarks visible. Contemporary limp vellum covers with remains of ties.

Bonham's sale, 19 March 2013, lot 72.

Despite the conventional citation of elite metropolitan practitioners, as well as references to London sources of ingredients for a recipe for fits on p. 126, there is circumstantial evidence that this collection belongs to a Suffolk household: on p. 19 a recipe for a sore breast is described as 'approved by Mrs Bacon of Ipswich'; on p. 116 are given 'directions for ricketted children' from 'Mrs Hobart of Mendham' [Suffolk]. Elsewhere a 'cosen Hobart' is mentioned (p. 157), implying that the compiler was related to the Hobart family. Other relatives with various surnames are referenced throughout.