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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

  • ca. 1880

Language of Materials

The materials in the collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Historical Note

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.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)

Abstract

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

Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased by Special Collections in 2010.

Existence and Location of Copies

The collection has been digitized and is available online.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the How to Cook a Husband Manuscript Book by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your- work/public-domain/cc0/).

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, ca. 1880
Status
Completed
Author
Julia Viets, Student Worker
Date
2010 (CC0 1.0)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

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