1908 “The Bride’s Cookbook” – Antique Hardcover with Handwritten Recipes

This is an original 1908 hardcover edition of The Bride’s Cookbook by Laura Davenport, published by Reilly and Britton Co. It’s full of practical recipes meant for the new cook, written in that wonderful turn-of-the-century style. The boards are in solid shape, and while all the pages are intact, the hinges are beginning to crack at the front and back—a common sign of age, but something to be mindful of if you’re a collector.

What makes this book extra special are the tabbed chapter pages, each one starting with a lovely illustration. And in the back? A treasure trove of handwritten recipes, including one titled “Pineapple Snow” that sounds just as dreamy as it reads.

I absolutely love antique cookbooks like this. They capture a time before modern appliances and shortcuts—when everything was made by hand, often with love and a bit of guesswork. The recipes are written in a way that really transports you, and many of them reflect dishes we just don’t see anymore. The handwritten notes add such a personal touch—elegant penmanship, likely passed between brides or shared among friends. It’s more than just a cookbook—it’s a glimpse into another era’s kitchen.