FIRST CATCH YOUR HARE, a History of the Recipe-Makers

London: Macdonald & Co., 1965. (UK) First Edition blk bds, x, 242pp. 16 B&W plates of cooks, title pages of their books. A history of English cooks and their books: Andrew Boorde, Robert May, Kenelm Digby, Patrick lambe, Hannah Glasse, Elizabeth Raffald, Maria Rindell, William Kitchiner, Eliza Acton, Alexis Soyer, Isabella Beeton. Nothing is indicated about the two authors, which is unfortunate, as they have left a distinctive and rather acerbic taste to the writing. Here is a typical example which explains the title of the book: "FIRST CATCH YOUR HARE" : this instructive remark is often attributed to Mrs. Glasse, though it has been foisted upon others. The origin is obscure; perhaps a misprint, set by a compositor and passed by readers unfamiliar with the terms of cookery. It was seized upon avidly by the Victorians, when many books were being published on the subject by women who were condemned as unwomanly by the sterner sex...When a hare is stripped of its pelt, a hirsute integument which must be scaped away remains beneath, and this process was known to our ancestors as "cacheing", which was later corrupted to "casing". It is ironical that the words used to denigrate women cooks clearly demonstrate the ignorance of the denigrators". Light foxing to top edge of pages, otherwise tight copy withour markings, Very Good in unclipped VG- Dj with spine panel darkened, yellowing of edges of white portion of Dj, crease to corner. DJ is in mylar sleeve. (2.0 JM HOQ 100/a3. 1st. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good -. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.