Dingens Brothers (compiled and edited by)

The Cosmopolitan Cook and Recipe Book, Containing Recipes for the Preparation of American, French, German, English, Irish and Other National Dishes, Both Costly and Economical, also Household Recipes, Medical Recipes, Rules of Health, Tables of Dista

Buffalo, N.Y. Printing House of E.H. Hutchinson, 1882.

Octavo, 410 pages + blank pages for "Additional Recipes" at end. Ads printed on colored stock throughout. First edition. An unusual household recipe book, issued by the great Buffalo victualer Dingens Brothers. A similar book was issued in Rochester by the firm of Moore & Cole, and it is likely the same title masquerading as its own issue. This volume includes a 34-page catalogue of goods offered by Dingens Brothers, from washboards to brandy. One unusual aspect of this book is the prominence given to cooking and preparation times. Immediately adjacent to the recipe title, in capital letters, the recipes state, "[TIME.-ONE HOUR.] or the like. This is one of the earlier appearances of exact timings we've seen, certainly with timings given such prominence. With one manuscript recipe, and one newspaper clipping recipe neatly inserted in the Additional Recipe section. Fine in publisher's black and gilt-stamped decorated maroon cloth. Scarce. [Worldcat indicates only 2 copies of this edition].