Skip to main content

Recipes and Medical Preparations Manuscript

 Collection
Identifier: MS481

  • Staff Only

Dates

  • ca. 1770s-1780s

Condition Description

Very good

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open.

Conditions Governing Use

Material in this collection is in the public domain.

Extent

.1 Linear Feet (1 flat box housing 1 bound volume)

Scope and Contents

Recipes and Medical Preparations.

English Manuscript, circa 1780.

Tall and narrow account book, folio manuscript on laid paper, titled on front board, "Mrs. Gifford's Receipt Book," the book itself likely made and first used circa 1715, by an Ann Sayer; the majority of the entries date from the 1770s-'80s, in a variety of hands, some leaves removed, consisting of approximately fifty inscribed pages, and more than 100 left blank; cures for coughs, scurvy, consumption, and "bugs," are listed, along with food and drink, including rice pudding, orange pudding, "whipt syllabubs extraordinary," "good iced cake," seed cake, pickled herring, black pudding, "walnut catchup," "bloomange," ginger wine, pickled onions, raisin wine, raspberry jam, yellow flummery, a plum cake recipe dated 1773, pickled gherkins, India pickles, mock turtle soup, and more, many recipes attributed to their female creators; bound in parchment over boards, covering material becoming detached, boards delaminating, 15 x 6 in.

[Excerpted from auction record]

Biographical / Historical

Titled "Mrs. Gifford's Receipt Book," the book itself was likely made and first used circa 1715 by an Ann Sayer. The majority of the entries date from the 1770s-1780s in a variety of hands.

Books such as these were commonly used by women in the 18th century to record recipes, home remedies, and other notes about their households.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

This manuscript is in cold storage and requires an appointment made at least 24 hours in advance.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased at Swann Auction Galleries Sale 2603 Lot 282 on May 5, 2022.

Condition Description

Very good

Title
Finding aid for the Recipes and medical preparations manuscript
Author
Alison Reynolds
Date
May 23, 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Archives and Special Collections, Library, Georgia Institute of Technology Repository

Contact:
Library
Georgia Institute of Technology
266 4th Street, NW
Atlanta 30332-0900 USA
404-894-4586