The Book of Household Management... also Sanitary, Medical, & Legal Memoranda; with a History of the Origin, Properties, and Uses of all Things connected with Home Life and Comfort

London: S.O. Beeton, 248, Strand, W.C.; Cox & Wyman, Printers, 1861. One volume rebound in two; small octavos (17.2 x 10.8 cm.), xxxix, [1]-512; [513]-1112 pages. Illustrated with a color frontispiece and engraved title, with twelve additional color plates, and with engravings in the text. FIRST EDITION, first impression in book form (with "18 Bouverie St." on the illustrated title page). Preceded by the very rare issue in twenty-four monthly parts, issued November 1859-1861. ~ Perhaps the most famous of English cookery books, and the one most emblematic of Victorian home life. The Book of Household Management is not only exhaustive, with two thousand seven hundred and fifty one recipes, formulas, and instructions for all aspects of household management, it also is one of the earliest cookbooks to use color illustration (Bitting). The twelve color plates are from the first issue, before the salmon colored background was added. It is also one of the earliest cookbooks – certainly on this scale – to use the standard recipe format which is now expected, with ingredients first, followed by step-by-step instructions. ~ Rebound in mid-twentieth century three quarter morocco over red cloth boards, decoratively gilt-ruled; spine with five raised bands, gilt-paneled and titled. Top edges stained black. Pages 887-888 slightly frayed at the outer margin. A very good copy. [OCLC records fifty-eight copies; Bitting, page 32; Cagle 561 (also see 560a); not in Vicaire].