English and Irish 17th-century miscellany of household expenses, songs, and remedies. [manuscript] approximately 1688-1691

English and Irish 17th-century miscellany of household expenses, songs, and remedies. [manuscript] approximately 1688-1691

County Cork, and London, approximately 1688-1691

1 item ; 181 x 75 x 9 mm.

This is a PRELIMINARY RECORD. It may contain incorrect information. Please email catalog@folger.edu for assistance.

Great Britain -- England -- London, -- production place.
Ireland -- County Cork, -- publication place.

273024 MS

From delear's description: "[ANGLO-IRISH NOTEBOOK]. English and Irish 17th-Century Miscellany of household expenses, songs, and remedies. [County Cork, and London. Circa 1688-91 (dated in text)]. Tall quarto (181 x 75 x 9 mm). Text to both ends. 88 text pages on 44 leaves, some leaves excised and one torn vertically with loss (not included in page count). Text in two 17th-century hands, both neat and legible. Happenstance seems to have played as great a role as design in this rare survival from early modern England and Ireland. The volume was clearly designed to be carried around: its slim dimensions and wallet-style binding meant it could be slipped into the pocket, and brought out as occasion required. It functions as a register of chance moments of life: an address, a song or poem recited, a remedy required, all juxtaposed with the ever-present need to record financial transactions, among whose seemingly dry contents little nuggets of personality reveal themselves. While we do not know who compiled this book, we gain a good picture of him through his interactions, the journeys he took, the kind of clothes he wore, the songs he sang, and the ailments he suffered. There are some clues to his profession, which seems to have involved knowing where certain personages were at certain times."

Ordered from Dean Cooke Rare Books, D9767, 2024-09-13, Cat. Fifth Words & Things, item #7 (Ref: 8264)

Purchase made possible by The B. F. Saul Rare Book Acquisitions Fund.

273024