The Experienced English Housekeeper

Raffald, Elizabeth. The Experienced English Housekeeper...: a new edition in which are inserted some celebrated receipts by other modern authors. H Mozley: Gainsborough, 1803. 8vo (180x110mm) half calf marbled bds, frontis, vi,[2],364pp, 3 folding plates.

RAFFALD, Elizabeth [Whitaker, (1733 - 1781)]

The Experienced English Housekeeper, for the use of ladies, housekeepers, cooks &c. Written purely from practice; dedicated to the Hon. Lady Elizabeth Warburton, whom the author lately served as housekeeper: consisting of several hundred original receipts, most of which never appeared in print.... A New Edition: in which are inserted some celebrated receipts by other modern authors.

Market-place, Gainsborough: H Mozley, 1803.  Printed by H Mozley, Market-place, Gainsborough.

Octavo (180x110mm) later half bound calf over marbled boards; spine in 7 compartments ruled in gilt, raised bands, black title and author labels in gilt; all edges red; laid paper; original front free-endpaper with neat contemporary owner's name 'Worcester, Matilda Smith, 10th September 1805', frontispiece portrait of a younger Mrs Raffald, vii,[1],364pp; three folding plates (Kitchen Stove Fires, First Course and Second Course) as called for.


New end-papers, hinges neatly reinforced; sporadic faint foxing; marbled boards and edges lightly scuffed. A very nice copy in a smaller format.

Raffald was an extraordinary woman for her time, in addition to writing this best-selling cookery book, establishing Manchester's newspaper, first post office, first street directories, as well as two inns, a servant's placement agency, a cookery school, a pastrycooks' shop, and a pleasure garden, she allegedly had some 15 or 16 children in as many years (she died when 48).  First published in 1769, this was an extremely popular, and much pirated work (possibly this copy) Its' popularity can be attributed to its simplicity and clarity, a style akin to the next generation's Eliza Acton.  Many preserving and still-room recipes are included.  It is not clear what the additional receipts are.

Henry Mozley was a provincial printer turned publisher in Lincolnshire. His son, also Henry took over the business in the early 19th century.

§ Oxford, p.98 suggests possibly a pirated edition. Cf Cagle 944-953, esp 953; Bitting p.387 and Maclean pp.121-124 for earlier and contemporary editions.  OCLC records 5 holdings of this edition.