Mary Randolph’s Virginia Housewife can lay claim to being the first truly American cookbook. First published in 1824, it went through many editions in the first half of the 19th century. In keeping with the motto on the title page– “Method is the Soul of Managment”– Randolph’s book promoted organization and practicality, and offered detailed recipes for the home cook. Our copy of The Virginia Housewife was clearly a mainstay in someone’s 19th century kitchen, as the endpapers are filled will recipes in manuscript.