Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1779

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume (+ 27 leaves)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Henry H. Kelley recipe book, 1840-1875, Ms. Codex 1779, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1840-1875 (inclusive)

Creator:

Kelley, Henry H.

Form:

Manuscripts, American -- 19th century, Finding tabs, Clippings (information artifacts), Recipes, Prescriptions, Formularies, and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

This volume contains a collection of pharmaceutical formulas and recipes compiled and written by druggist and chemist Henry H. Kelley spanning the years from 1840 to 1875.

Kelley was a druggist and chemist who owned and operated a drugstore on the N. W. corner of 4th and Noble Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He opened the store on June 22, 1840. Kelley sold the business to Thomas Leidy on July 15, 1846.

This worn, brown leather volume lacking a spine contains a collection of pharmaceutical formulas and recipes compiled and written by druggist and chemist Henry H. Kelley spanning the years from 1840 to 1875. A black leather label on the cover is stamped in gold with "Recipe book, Henry H. Kelley." Thumb tabs labeled A to Z with two letters per tab provide an alphabetical index for the recipes on pages numbered 1 to 206. Various formulas and recipes in the volume are for pharmaceuticals used for medicinal and hygienic purposes. The volume includes recipes for drops, elixirs, ointments, pills, plasters, powders, vinegars, and washes providing remedies for various ailments and diseases. Some ailments include bronchitis, cholera, coughs, corns, digestion, eye ailments, fevers, gonorrhea, hiccups, hydrophobia, rheumatism, and seasickness. Preparations for toiletries include cold cream, cologne, hair tonic, hair dye, lotion, shaving cream, soap, and tooth powder. There are household recipes for blackings, cements, colors, inks, lacquers, pastes, polishes, and varnishes. A few recipes for wine and beer are included as well as a recipe for tomato ketchup. Attribution and dates are written at the end of some recipes. A few recipes have been pinned in the volume. There are twenty-seven leaves laid in the volume comprising recipes, a few newspapers clippings, and a 1889 circular calendar; these are now shelved in separate housing. A distance table for of towns in the United States is pasted the inside front cover. Kelley wrote the dates of the acquisition and sale of the drugstore at the beginning and end of the volume. A printed label for the drugstore is pasted on the last leaf. On the last leaf Kelley wrote: "I desire and request, that this book, shall be kept for the benefit and us of all my children."