The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy Value Guide

First published in 1747 by 'A Lady,' this seminal work by Hannah Glasse became the definitive English-language culinary guide for over a century. It is highly collectible for its revolutionary approach to simplifying recipes for the middle class and its historical use by figures like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

What Is The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy Worth?

The typical price range for The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy is $425 - $475 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the leather binding and the presence of any original vellum elements.
• The specific edition and printing date within the 1770-1790 range, with earlier dates often commanding higher premiums.
• The presence of foxing, staining, or missing pages which can significantly impact the $425-$475 valuation.
• Provenance or historical ownership marks that connect the specific copy to notable 18th-century households.

How to Identify The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy?

• Verify the title page attribution to 'A Lady' rather than Glasse's name, as early editions maintained her anonymity.
• Check for authentic 18th-century binding materials, specifically worn leather or vellum consistent with the 1770-1790 era.
• Look for the characteristic 18th-century typography and paper quality typical of United Kingdom printing houses of the period.
• Examine the text for Glasse's signature critiques of French culinary extravagance, a hallmark of her writing style.

History of The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy

First published in 1747, this work became the dominant cookery reference in the English-speaking world for over a century. It was famously published anonymously by 'A Lady' and was used by prominent historical figures including Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. It revolutionized domestic literature by simplifying recipes for the middle class and criticizing French culinary extravagance.