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How to Cook a Husband Manuscript Book,

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2010-079

Scope and Content

The collection contains a single hand-made ribbon-bound manuscript entitled, A Novel Recipe “How to Cook a Husband.” The book’s recipe instructs newlywed women on how to treat their husbands well with metaphors that compare wifely duties and cooking. It starts off with the lines, “A good many husbands are utterly spoiled by mismanagement in cooking and are so not tender and good.”

Dates

  • Creation: c.1880

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the How to Cook a Husband Manuscript Book must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Historical Information

The book’s contents are based on a popular story that uses cooking metaphors to instruct newlywed women in treating their husbands well. Although the creator of the original story is unknown, the story is thought to have originated in New England in the early 1880s.

Full Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection consists of a book entitled, A Novel Recipe “How to Cook a Husband,” c. 1880. Intended for newlywed women, the book’s popular recipe contains metaphors that compare treating a husband well to cooking a good meal.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type.

Acquisition Information

This collection was obtained by Special Collections in 2010.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the How to Cook a Husband Manuscript Book was completed in October 2010.

Title
How to Cook a Husband Manuscript Book, c. 1880
Status
Completed
Subtitle
A Collection in Special Collections
Author
Julia Viets
Date
© 2010 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308