Stanley Wrench, M. C. A [Mollie Stanley Wrench]; "Chef" [Editor] — The Complete Illustrated Cookery Book

London, Associated Newspapers Ltd. 1935 . First edition. Cloth. A lavishly illustrated, first edition of this 1930s culinary compendium with over 2,000 recipes, showcasing the refined practicality of interwar British home cooking. In the publisher's original green cloth binding.This volume is an exceptionally scarce first edition.With 28 plate illustrations, reproduced from dishes prepared from recipes given in the book, 4 of which are in colour, including a charming colour frontispiece of dishes: Scotch Eggs, Peas with Tomato and Egg Salad, and Fried Egg and Bacon. Collated, complete.This volume offers an impressive culinary compendium of the interwar British kitchen, containing a vast collection of over 2,000 recipes and cooking guidance, with sections on seasonal produce, kitchen processes, menu planning, and housekeeping essentials. Among its many distinctive recipes are: Banana Jelly, Claret Jelly, Gingerbread, Coco-nut Drop Cookies, Gooseberry and Currant Jam, Nectarine Jam, Vegetable Marrow Chutney, Chicken Mousse, Tarragon Vinegar, Piquant Sauce, Olive Sauce, Fried Fillets of Herring, Baked Halibut, Crimped Cod, Custard A La Royale, Conger Eel Soup, Oyster St. Jacques, to name only a handful. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, generally smart. The odd handling mark to boards and spine, more so to the rear board. A spot of damp staining to lower perimeter of rear board with one or two other smaller spots of damp staining to boards. Rubbing to extremities. Lower rear joint slightly cracked around 1.5" long, partially exposing binding materials at spine, but holding firm. A couple of scratches to front board. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean, if age toned, with one or two spots to fore edge and the odd minor handling mark. Hinges at frontispiece and index cracked, exposing binding materials. Small ink inscription to final page. Very Good . Ill.: Various. Very Good .