Book of remedies [manuscript] circa 1690

Book of remedies [manuscript] circa 1690

England, Norfolk? circa 1690.

1 item ; 200 x 155 x 25 mm

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

Great Britain -- England -- Norfolk, -- production place.

273103 MS

From dealer's description: "PYE, Ann (née HAMPDEN) (c. 1616-1701)]. Fine Late 17th-Century Manuscript Book of Remedies. [England, Norfolk? Circa 1690]. Small quarto (200 x 155 x 25 mm). [12, index], 263 numbered pages. Last page of index and following leaf stuck down. At some point, an attempt has been made to separate the leaves, but abandoned before causing too much damage. Recipe clippings (probably 19th century) pasted to endpapers. At the heart of this remarkable manuscript book of remedies, lies a network of exceptional social connections that draw together major figures from the English Civil War, several prominent families, and an assortment of other acquaintances, many associated with the Royal College of Physicians. Its most immediately striking feature, however, is the presentation. The highly attractive wallet-style morocco binding is a form rarely used for household receipt books, and the careful, consistent, unhurried hand are not qualities one usually encounters in a remedy collection intended for everyday use. Moreover, the addition of the word “Finis” on the final page signals an intentional act: a definitive flourish marking the completion of the text before it was so strikingly bound. There are approximately 370 remedies, of which over 150 are attributed. On an initial reading, and in the absence of a contemporary ownership inscription, the clues to authorship seem scant. But within the attributions, certain clusters begin to emerge. There are several closely related families – Hampden, Hammond, Claypoole and Cromwell – together with three leading figures from the world of science – Wright, Paston, and Rant – giving rise to numerous connections between these prominent families and scientists. While a definitive attribution of this volume is somewhat elusive, we believe that our provisional theory, based on the evidence we present below, is persuasive. A fine and unusual red morocco wallet-style binding, marbled endpapers, lacks rear marbled endpaper. Watermark: Pro Patria. Provenance: later ownership inscription (19th century) to front endpaper of “James Lane / Silk Mill ”. [...]"

Ordered from Dean Cooke, D9798, 2025-02-05, Words and Ink cat. item #7.

273103