1wcarter
The Goodman of Paris (Le Ménagier de Paris). A Treatise on Moral and Domestic Economy by a Citizen of Paris c.1393
This fascinating book holds the distinction of being the first book I bought from the Folio Society when I joined the then membership model in 1992. The start of an addiction that has resulted in a collection of FS books that now exceeds 700.
The 238 page book was written by an elderly, wealthy and influential Parisian member of the bourgeoisie for the education and instruction of his young wife. It covers how she should behave, her morals, religious life and of course household management and how she should care for her ageing husband. The author illustrates his advice as to wifely behaviour with a series of stories taken from his own experience. The book gives a detailed insight into how life was lived over 600 years ago, detailing how servants should be hired, how to shop economically, which plants to add to a garden and cooking. A final section of the book that discusses games, riddles and leisure remains incomplete, presumably because of the author’s death.
The book has been translated from the French and introduced by Eileen Power, who was Professor of Economic History at the University of Cambridge. It is illustrated with 13 bound-in French medieval miniatures in colour. The binding is in green cloth with a colour inset cover label, and it is housed in a light brown slipcase (26x17.8cm.). The endpapers are plain light green.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
This fascinating book holds the distinction of being the first book I bought from the Folio Society when I joined the then membership model in 1992. The start of an addiction that has resulted in a collection of FS books that now exceeds 700.
The 238 page book was written by an elderly, wealthy and influential Parisian member of the bourgeoisie for the education and instruction of his young wife. It covers how she should behave, her morals, religious life and of course household management and how she should care for her ageing husband. The author illustrates his advice as to wifely behaviour with a series of stories taken from his own experience. The book gives a detailed insight into how life was lived over 600 years ago, detailing how servants should be hired, how to shop economically, which plants to add to a garden and cooking. A final section of the book that discusses games, riddles and leisure remains incomplete, presumably because of the author’s death.
The book has been translated from the French and introduced by Eileen Power, who was Professor of Economic History at the University of Cambridge. It is illustrated with 13 bound-in French medieval miniatures in colour. The binding is in green cloth with a colour inset cover label, and it is housed in a light brown slipcase (26x17.8cm.). The endpapers are plain light green.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2Ipcress_File
If we round the numbers and say you have acquired 700 Folio Society books in 28 years that averages 25 books per year.
If you continue this very worthy Folio Society Archives project of describing one item per week while acquiring 25 new items each year you should have your entire collection documented by March 2040. By then you will have around 1,200 Folio Society books.
(Note the above calculation assumes that each Folio Society 'book' is a separately issued item. However if the number of 'books' includes each item in multiple volume sets then the project will be completed a few years earlier than the above projected date.)
If you continue this very worthy Folio Society Archives project of describing one item per week while acquiring 25 new items each year you should have your entire collection documented by March 2040. By then you will have around 1,200 Folio Society books.
(Note the above calculation assumes that each Folio Society 'book' is a separately issued item. However if the number of 'books' includes each item in multiple volume sets then the project will be completed a few years earlier than the above projected date.)
3kdweber
Interesting looking book. I own over 500 FS books yet you continually showcase books I've never seen nor heard of.
Your book has a rather worn slipcase and sunned spine for a book that you bought new.
Your book has a rather worn slipcase and sunned spine for a book that you bought new.
4wcarter
>2 Ipcress_File:
;-)
By which time I will be 92 years old! An interesting challenge.
>3 kdweber:
My first library had lovely big bay windows and lots of light. I have learnt, and my new library has no windows, so sunning of newer purchases should be minimal. Slipcases of the early 90s were fairly basic, unlike modern ones.
;-)
By which time I will be 92 years old! An interesting challenge.
>3 kdweber:
My first library had lovely big bay windows and lots of light. I have learnt, and my new library has no windows, so sunning of newer purchases should be minimal. Slipcases of the early 90s were fairly basic, unlike modern ones.
5SinsenKrysset
This wikipedia article starts discussing the later 2009 translation compared to the earlier ones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_M%C3%A9nagier_de_Paris
Thanks as always for shining some light on these delightful books.
Thanks as always for shining some light on these delightful books.
