Plat, Hugh, Sir | Wholesome domestic and industrial arts peppered with a little larceny and deception

Plat, Hugh, Sir

The Jewel House of Art and Nature. London: Elizabeth Alsop, 1653

4to (184 x 140 mm). Title within a border of printer's ornaments and woodcut illustration of an ear of barley on verso, 16 woodcut text illustrations, woodcut headpieces and initials; some browning, chiefly marginal. Contemporary calf; worn, upper board mostly detached, spine defective.

Second edition. First published in 1594, the present edition was revised and expanded by Arnold de Boate in 1653; there are two issues, this bearing the imprint of Elizabeth Alsop as opposed to that of her husband, Bernard Alsop, who may have died that year. The 103 experiments described include recipes for preserving food, herbs, fruit, flowers, meat and water, and for a tooth-cleaner. Other parts deal with soils, manures, distillations, molding and casting metals, and diverse topics such as the brewing of beer without hops, fishing, how to cheat at cards and how to steal a beehive. 

REFERENCE:

ESTC R10675; Toole Stott 572; Wing P2391

PROVENANCE:

Thomas Cowper (engraved armorial bookplate on front pastedown)