Sunday, November 09, 2008

Stocking Stuffers?


Dover Books has fascinating resources, including facsimiles of old books. They're having a sale right now and I spotted these, which might be of interest.

From Dover Books.
The House Servant's Directory: An African American Butler's 1827 Guide
by Robert Roberts

Classic survey of work, home life, and race relations in early America — written by an African-American — offers keen insight into the social milieu, hierarchy, and maintenance of the antebellum manor. It's only $3.18

There's also a 1796 American cookbook. The First American Cookbook: A Facsimile of "American Cookery," 1796

Jo

Saturday, November 08, 2008

What did people die of?

Yes, I'm back! It's been a very busy year, mostly in a good way and I've finally sent off my next book -- The Secret Wedding, out next April. I'm hoping to be a bit more active now, here and on . Jo Talk

I'm posting because I just stumbled across this.

Causes of death in the late 19th century.

The picture is of Dr. John Helmcken's medicine chest from the mid to late 19th century. It's big because it's a ship's doctor's medicine chest. Dr. Helmcken left England in 1850 to be the doctor for the Hudson Bay Company on the north west coast of north America, but before that he'd been a ship's doctor with the company. His house, built in 1852, still exists in Victoria, BC, and is now part of the Royal BC Museum there. It's open to visitors at certain times of the year. The next opening will be over Christmas.

This site is related to Dr. Helmcken and includes a bit of information about medicine in the 19th century.

Cheers,

Jo