The Queens Closet Opened, Being Incomparable Secrets in Physick, Chyrurgery, Preserving, and Candying, &c. which were presented to the Queen, by the most experienc'd Persons of the times

London: E Blagrave , 1696. Leather. Good Only. 6" by 3.5". None. The tenth edition of this very scarce, anonymously written work regarding the customs and kitchens of the old aristocracy. This work was first published during Cromwell's Commonwealth With separate title pages to all parts, though continuous pagination and register as called for. Collated, this copy is lacking the frontispiece. ESTC no. R26187 The tenth edition of this work, which was first published in 1655. These recipes were purported to be from the kitchen on Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I. It was originally published following the execution of Charles I, and six years after Henrietta Maria fled England during the interregnum. To the title page, W.M writes that these recipes are 'incomparable secrets in Physick, Chirurgery, Preserving and Candying, &c. Which were presented unto the Queen by the most experienced persons of the times'. Being all three parts in one. 'The Queens Closed Opened'.. 'A Queens Delight or the Art of Preserving'... and 'The Compleat Cook' When this work was first published, Cromwell had been in charge for six years, and the riches of the old aristocracy were a subject of fascination. These recipes provided insight into the ingredients found in royal and aristocratic pantries and cabinets. Noted recipes include 'The Kings Medicine for the Plague' and 'A salve for the eyes made by Sir Edward Spencer'. A very scarce household work, which forms as an historical source of court life during the Stuart reign. In the contemporary calf binding. Externally, rubbed to the joints and extremities. Splits to the joints. Front hinge is weak and may detach with further handling. Rear hinge has been re-inforced. Crude repairs to the tail of spine and to the board edges.Title page is loosening, which has loss to the bottom margin. Prior owner's inscription to the front pastedown, John Proudfoot of Ivy House. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages are age toned, with light tidemarks to the centre of most pages, which are slightly cockled as a result. Chip to the bottom corner of page 99/100, only affecting one word to page 100. Small loss to page 389 at the gutter, affecting the catch-word and final line to page 390. Loss to the bottom corner of page 395/6 affecting only three words overall across both pages. The odd spots to pages. Good Only