Mrs de Salis; Harriet Anne de Salis — Four a la Mode Recipe Books

London, Longmans, Green and Co, 1888-98. First edition. Cloth. A set of four of Mrs de Salis' popular 'A La Mode' cookery books, discussing game, vegetables, sweets, supper, and entrees. A set of four Mrs. Harriet Anne de Salis' popular cookery works in her 'A La Mode' series, including two first editions.These volumes offer an expansive look at the popular recipes of the late Victorian and early Edwardian eras. The author, Mrs. de Salis, was an expert at offering guidance to Victorian housewives on the domestic arts, writing common-sense manuals for everything from cooking on a budget to raising poultry, and even training dogs.This set contains:'Dressed Game and Poultry', the first edition, published in 1888.'Dressed Vegetables', the first edition, published in 1888. One page of adverts to the rear.'Sweets and Supper Dishes', the third edition, published in 1890. 'Entrees', the eleventh edition, published in 1898.Written by Anne de Salis, real name Harriet Anne Bainbridge who was an English author best known for this series which is now very collectable.Bookplate of Martin & Pamela Finch to the recto of the front endpaper of 'Dressed Vegetables', 'Sweets and Supper Dishes', and 'Entrees&apos. The Finch couple founded Matthew Finch Design Consultants Limited, a graphics group which specialised in in design for print and publishing. They opened an antiquarian bookshop, Wadard Books, in 2001. In the original publisher's quarter cloth binding with paper to the boards. Externally, generally smart. Light rubbing and marks to the boards and spines. Minor bumping to the head and tail of the spines and to the extremities. Label to the front board of 'Dressed Game and Poultry&apos. Rubbing is a little heavier to 'Dressed Vegetables' and 'Entrees&apos. Ink inscription to the front board of 'Entrees&apos. Front hinge starting to 'Dressed Game and Poultry&apos. Hinges of 'Entrees' are starting. Small amount of loss to the rear paste down of 'Dressed Game and Poultry&apos. Bookplate to the recto of the front endpaper of 'Dressed Vegetables', 'Sweets and Supper Dishes', and 'Entrees&apos. Internally, 'Dressed Game and Poultry' and 'Entrees' are firmly bound, whereas 'Dressed Vegetables' and 'Sweets and Supper Dishes' are generally firmly bound. Pages are bright, with a few scattered spots. Good . Ill.: None. Good .