Lionel Guest — Soup, Oysters and Surprises

London, John Lane: The Bodley Head, 1918. Cloth. A very scarce first edition of late World War I recipes, an illuminating insight into the unusual culinary trends during this period of upheaval and necessity. In the publisher's original cloth wraps. This copy is a first edition. This work is a distinctive British cookbook that presents a collection of recipes that reflect the culinary practices during the later period of World War I. Among more traditional recipes are particularly unconventional recipes like "Squirrel Soup", "Stewed Hedgehog", "Stewed Terrapin", and "Tripe Soup (cheap)", including by a section on frogs and eels. We might assume these are the titular "surprises". in the publisher's original cloth wraps. Externally, a little worn. Handling marks to wraps. Small chips to head and tail of spine. Evidence of worming to lower half, lasting a few leaves, not obscuring the text. Publisher's advertisements to endpapers and rear wrap. Slight curling to lower right corner. Internally, firmly bound. Pages slightly age toned. Scattered spotting closer to fore edge with the odd handling mark. Good . Ill.: None. Good .