ABSTRACT: Cookbook kept by Ruth J. Veal beginning in 1914.
SCOPE: This cookbook is a well-preserved record of early 20th century American domestic cookery. It was created from a blank 1907 date book issued by a St. Louis branch office of the United States Fidelity and Guarantee Company of Baltimore. The date book once belonged to an attorney named Hanover, who's sporadic appointment notes are scattered throughout the pages. Ruth likely acquired the book during her time working as a court stenographer and repurposed it. The cookbook is a blend of manuscript and clipped recipes that are organized into 15 distinct sections including meats, breads, salads, pies, cakes, and preserves. Recipe names include "Parker House Rolls", "Mother's Biscuits", "Pine Apple Sponge", and "Butter Icing".
EXTENT: Approx. 50 pages
HISTORY: According to census records, Ruth was born on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, near St. Louis, around 1893 to second generation German immigrant parents. She lived with her mother and grandmother in the Dutchtown neighborhood of south St. Louis when she started this cookbook in 1914.
ACCESS: This collection can be viewed on-site in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the material may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition and other access restrictions. Information on conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building on the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ north campus.
PREFERRED CITATION: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis."
