First edition, illustrated with in-text vignettes (cf. Vicaire 733; Bitting 391; Cagle 273; NUC: only 2 copies listed. Not in Oberlé, "Fastes").
At the CCF, copies only at the BnF and Sainte-Geneviève.
Contemporary half green sheep binding, spine darkened and faded, decorated with triple blind fillets, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns, speckled edges.
"Une des particularités de ce traité culinaire, c'est qu'il est 'dédié à la Sainte Vierge, mère de Dieu'" [Vicaire].
Another distinctive feature is that the work, divided into 1,187 paragraphs, exemplifies a scientific method and clarity worthy of a publication by Baillière.
Manuscript ownership inscription at the foot of the title page, occasional foxing.
Reculet (as stated on the title page) was “cook to Madame la comtesse d’Auteroche and Madame la marquise de Courtarvelle at the châteaux of Touchaillon and Lierville.” Which, however, hardly explains why the Virgin Mary should be the dedicatee of a work “qui traite d'une science à laquelle la décence convient si bien” [sic]. Rare and curious.