Selected Special Collections

Katherine Golden Bitting Collection

Publications and manuscripts on gastronomy, 15th through 20th centuries.

Between 1939 and 1944 Dr. Arvill Wayne Bitting presented to the Library of Congress the 4,346-volume gastronomic collection assembled by his wife, Katherine Golden Bitting (1868-1937), food chemist for the Department of Agriculture and the American Canners Association and author of nearly fifty pamphlets and articles on food preservation and related topics. To facilitate her investigations, as the Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress (1940) states, she collected "materials on the sources, preparation, and consumption of foods, their chemistry, baterriology, preservations, etc., from earliest times to the present day." The Bitting Collection containing numerous English and American publications on food preparation from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and a sampling of notable French, German, and Italian works. American regional cooking is well-documented. The treasure of the collection is a mid-fifteenth century Italian manuscript entitled "Libro de arte coquinaria" of Maestro Martino which was a source for the earliest printed cookbook, Platina's De Honesta Voluptate (ca. 1475). Leonard N. Beck discusses the manuscript in his article "Praise Is Due Bartolomeo Platine: A Note on the Librarian Author of the First Cookbook" in QJLC, V.32 July 1975, p. 238-253.

See the like collection of Joseph and Elizabeth Robins Pennell Collection: Graphic art, papers, and cookbook collection of Joseph and Elizabeth Robins Pennell. Also see the Library of Congress' Pinterest board.

Supporting Resources

• Digitized Material: Rare Book Selections, Available Online, Katherine Golden Bitting Collection on Gastronomy (Library of Congress) | Library of Congress (loc.gov)
• Pinterest Board: Art of Good Eating

A Partial List of Digitized Materials From the Katherine Golding Bitting Collection

	A Apple Pie by Kate Greenaway. London; New York: F. Warne, [1900]. Page Turner - PDF (8.14MB) Bibliographic Information
	Archambault. Cuisinier économe. Paris, A la Librairie du commerce, chez Renard, 1825. Page Turner - PDF (150.0 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Art du limonadier. Paris, Galland, libraire, [Impr. de P. N. Rougeron] 1804. Page Turner - PDF (111 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Audiger. Maison regleé. Paris, M. Brunet, 1692. Page Turner - PDF (120.2 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Audot, L.-E. (Louis-Eustache), 1783-1870. Bréviaire du gastronome utile et récréatif,. Paris, Audot [18-]. Page Turner - PDF (98.2 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Audot, Louis Eustache. Cuisiniere de la campagne et de la ville. Paris, Audot, 1859. Page Turner - PDF (156.4 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Bastiment de receptes. A Lyon, A Lescu de Coloigne, 1541. Page Turner - PDF (50.7 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Beck, Leonard. Two loaf-givers : or a tour through the gastronomic libraries of Katherine Golden Bitting and Elizabeth Robins Pennell. Page Turner - PDF (69.1 MB) Bibliographic Information
	Beeton, Mrs. (Isabella Mary), 1836-1865. Book of household management. London, S. O. Beeton, 1861. Page Turner - PDF (452.7 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Berchoux, J. de (Joseph), 1762-1838. La gastronomie; ou, L’homme des champs à table, pour servir de suite à L’homme des champs, par J. Delille. Page Turner - PDF (55.3 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Bitting, Katherine Golden. Gastronomic bibliography. Page Turner - PDF (257 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Blanquet, Rosalie. [from old catalog] Cuisiniere des menages. Paris, A. Demay [n.d.] Page Turner - PDF (207.5 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Beecher, Catharine Esther, 1800-1878. The American woman's home: or, Principles of domestis science; being a guide to the formation and maintenance of economical, healthful, beautiful, and Christian homes. New York, J.B. Ford and company; Boston, H.A. Brown & co.; [etc., etc.] 1869. Page Turner - PDF (183 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Berchoux, J. de (Joseph), 1762-1838. La gastronomie; ou, L'homme des champs à table, pour servir de suite à L'homme des champs, par J. Delille. Page Turner - PDF (55.3 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Bonnefons, Nicolas de. Les delices de la campagne. Paris, A. Cellier, 1662. Page Turner - PDF (154 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Bradley, Richard, 1688-1732. The country housewife and lady's director. Dublin, Printed by J. Watts, 1727. Page Turner - PDF (156.4 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Briand. Dictionnaire des alimens, vins et liqueurs. Volume 1: Page Turner - PDF (220 MB) Volume 2: Page Turner - PDF (223.2 MB) Volume 3: Page Turner - PDF (212.1 MB) Bibliographic Information
	Brisse, Leon, baron, 1813-1876. Le calendrier gastronomique pour l’anneé 1867 : les 365 menus du baron Brisse : un menu par jour. Paris : Bureaux de la Liberté, 1867. Page Turner - PDF (129.7 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	The British jewel; or, Complete housewife's best companion ... London, Printed and sold by J. Miller, 1769. Page Turner - PDF (28.6 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Buc’hoz, Pierre-Joseph, 1731-1807. Dissertation sur le cacao. À Paris, chez F. J. Desoer, 1787. Page Turner - PDF (39.2 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Buc’hoz, Pierre-Joseph, 1731-1807. Dissertation sur le café. À Paris, chez F. J. Desoer, 1787. Page Turner - PDF (29.5 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Carème, M. A. (Marie Antonin), 1784-1833. Art de la cuisine francaise au dix-neuvieme siecle. Paris : Au dépot de librairie, 1858. Page Turner - PDF (165.2 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Cheap receipts and hints on cookery; collected for distribution amongst the Irish peasantry in 1847. Armagh, Printed by J. M’Watters, 1847. Page Turner - PDF (29.1 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Child, Lydia Maria, 1802-1880. Frugal housewife. Dedicated to those who are not ashamed of economy. Boston, Marsh & Capen, and Carter & Hendee, 1829. Page Turner - PDF (37.5 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Chemin, Ch. Art de la cuisine. Paris, E. Bernard, 1899. Page Turner - PDF (29.1 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Ciard, John. Complete confectioner and family cook. Edinburgh: John Anderson, 1809. Page Turner - PDF (181 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Le cuisinier gascon. Amsterdam, 1740. Page Turner - PDF (83.2 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Compleat Cook. London, 1656. Page Turner - PDF (197.1 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Dallas, E. S. (Eneas Sweetland), 1828-1879. Kettner's book of the table. Page Turner - PDF (168.1 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Charles Dickens. A Christmas Carol; With Illustrations by A. C. Michael. New York: Hodder and Stoughton, [1911]. Page Turner - PDF (50.24MB) Bibliographic Information
	Dictionnaire portatif de cuisine, d’office, et de distillation; contenant la maniere de préparer toutes sortes de viandes. Paris, Vincent, 1767. Page Turner - PDF (298 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Dubois, Urbain, 1818-1901. Cuisine de tous les pays. Paris, E. Dentu, 1868. Page Turner - PDF (228 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Dumas, François Guillaume. Almanach des gourmands pour 1862. Paris, Librairie Nilsson. Page Turner - PDF (96.5 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Elyot, Thomas, Sir, 1490?-1546. Castel of Helth. Page Turner - PDF (90.6 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Francatelli, Charles Elmé, 1805-1876. French cookery: the modern cook. Philadelphia: Lea and Blanchard, 1846. Page Turner - PDF (217 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	[Fayot, Alfred Charles Frédéric], 1797-1861, [from old catalog] ed. Les classiques de la table. Paris, Au Dépôt, Dentu; [etc., etc.] 1843. Page Turner - PDF (224.2 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	French, John, 1616-1657. Art of Distillation. Page Turner - PDF (126.5 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	García de la Leña, Cecilio, 1726-1793. Recomendacion y Defensa del Famoso Vino Malagueño Pero Ximen y Modo de Formarlo ... Malaga: ... por Luis de Carreras ..., año 1792. Page Turner - PDF (64 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Gladfelter, Lisbeth M. An outline of domestic science, embracing 80 lessons ... [St. Louis]: L.M. Gladfelter, 1898. Page Turner - PDF (8.7 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Glasse, Hannah, 1708-1770. The art of cookery made plain and easy; excelling any thing of the kind ever yet published ... A new ed., with modern improvements. Alexandria: Printed by Cottom and Stewart, and sold at their Book-Stores, in Alexandria and Fredericksburg, 1805. Page Turner - PDF (146.8 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Gerard, John. The herball: or, Generall historie of plantes. Gathered by John Gerarde ... very much enlarged and amended by Thomas Johnson ... Page Turner - Bibliographic Information
	Hayward, A. (Abraham), 1801-1884. Art of dining; or, Gastronomy and gastronomers. London, J. Murray, 1853. Page Turner - PDF (86.2 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Johnstone, C. I. (Christian Isobel), 1781-1857. Cook and housewife's manual. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd ; London : Simpkin, Marshall & Co., 1837. Page Turner - PDF (210 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Kettilby, Mary. Collection of above three hundred receipts in cookery, physick ... London: Printed for the executrix of Mary Kettilby, and sold by W. Parker ..., 1734. Page Turner - PDF (107.5 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Kitchiner, William. Cook's oracle. London, J. Hatchard [etc.] 1818. Page Turner - PDF (183 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	A Lyon, A Lescu de Coloigne, 1541. Bastiment de receptes. A Lyon, A Lescu de Coloigne, 1541. Page Turner - PDF (50.7 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Lebas, J. Festin joyeaux, ou, La cuisine en musique, en vers libres ... Paris, 1738. Page Turner - PDF (135.9 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Lémery, Nicolas, 1645-1715. Le Nouveau Recueil de Curiositez Rares & Nouvelles des Plus Admirables Effets de la Nature & de l’art À Leide: Chez Pierre Vander Aa ..., 1685. Page Turner - PDF (275 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Maciver, Susannah. Cookery and pastry. Edinburgh, C. Elliot; 1784. Page Turner - PDF (93 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Le manuel de la friandise.. Paris, Janet, 1796 et 1797. Page Turner - PDF (87 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	[Marin, François], active 1739. [from old catalog]. Les dons de comus.. Paris, Prault, fils, 1739. Page Turner - PDF (109 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637. English House-wife. Page Turner - PDF (100 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Massialot, François, approximately 1660-1733. The court and country cook: giving new and plain directions how to order all manner of entertainments, and the best sort of the most exquisite a-la-mode ragoo's.. London, Printed by W. Onley, for A. and F. Churchill [etc.] 1702. Page Turner - PDF (206 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Menon, active 18th century. Art of modern cookery displayed. London, The translator, 1767. Page Turner - PDF (260 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	[Menon], active 18th century. Les soupers de la cour; ou, L'art de travailler toutes sortes d'alimens ... Paris, Guillyn, 1755. Volume 1: Page Turner - PDF (150 MB) - Volume 2: Page Turner - PDF (168 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	[Menon], active 18th century. Traité historique et pratique de la cuisine. Paris, C.J.B. Bauche, 1758. Volume 1: Page Turner - PDF (150 MB) - Volume 2: Page Turner - PDF (168 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Middleton, John (Cook). Five hundred new receipts in cookery, confectionary, pastry, preserving, conserving, pickling; and the several branches of these arts necessary to be known by all good housewives.. London, T. Asley, 1734. Page Turner - PDF (93 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	[Miller, Elizabeth Smith], 1822-1911. [from old catalog]. In the Kitchen. Boston, Lee and Shepard; New York, Lee, Shepard, and Dillingham, 1875. Page Turner - PDF (144.5 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Mollard, John. Art of cookery made easy and refined. London, J. Nunn, 1808. Page Turner - PDF (87.3 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Opsopäus, Vincentius. De arte bibendi Lvgd. Batav., 1648. Page Turner - PDF (163 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Poiret, Paul, [from old catalog] comp. 107 Recettes. Paris, H. Jonquières, 1928. Page Turner - PDF (62 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Pomiane, Edouard de, 1875-1964. Code de la bonne chere. Paris : Albin Michel, [19--]. Page Turner - PDF (192.3 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Queens closet opened. London, 1656. Page Turner - PDF (62 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Quentin, Pierre. L'art de conserver et d'employer les fruits: contenant tous les procédés les plus économiques pour les confire et pour composer les liqueurs, sirops, glaces, boissons de ménage, etc. : pour faire suite à La cuisinière de la campagne et de la ville. Paris : Audot, 1823. Page Turner - PDF (62.4 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Rundell, Maria Eliza Ketelby, 1745-1828. American domestic cookery, formed on principles of economy, for the use of private families. By an experienced housekeeper. Baltimore: Published by Fielding Lucas, Jun., R. J. Matchett, Printer, 1819. Page Turner - PDF (150.7 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Rundell, Maria Eliza Ketelby, 1745-1828. New system of domestic cookery. London, Printed by S. Hamilton for J. Murray; [etc., etc.] 1810. Page Turner - PDF (159 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Rude, Maxime. Tout-Paris au café. Page Turner - PDF (65 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Ruscelli, Girolamo, d. ca. 1565. The Secretes of the Reverende Mayster Alexis of Piemount: Conteinyng Many Excelle[n]t Remedies Agaynst Dyuers Diseases, Woundes, and Other Accidentes ..., Londini: [Henry Sutton], anno à virgineo partu 1559, 12 die mens. Nouemb. Page Turner - PDF (162.06) - Bibliographic Information
	Sala, George Augustus. Thorough good cook. London [etc.] Cassell and company, limited, 1895. Page Turner - PDF (128 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Sieur d'Emy. Art de bien faire les glaces d'office. Paris, Chez Le Clerc, 1768. Page Turner - PDF (101 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	[Smith, E], cook. The compleat housewife; or, Accomplish'd gentlewoman's companion. London, J. Pemberton, 1730. Page Turner - PDF (65 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Smith, Robert, cook. Court cookery, or the complete English cook. London, T. Wotton, 1725. Page Turner - PDF (93 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Soyer, Alexis, 1809-1858. Shilling cookery for the people. London: Geo. Routledge & Co., 1855. Page Turner - PDF (91 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Soyer, Alexis, 1809-1858. Soyer's culinary campaign. Being historical reminiscences of the late war. With the plain wit of cookery for military and civil institutions the army, navy, public, etc. etc. By Alexis Soyer ... Page Turner - PDF (244.5 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Tellier, Ch. (Charles), 1828-1913. Conservation de la viande et des matières organiques alimentaires par des moyens naturels. Paris : H. Dunod et E. Pinat, 1913. Page Turner - PDF (10.7 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Tryon, Thomas, 1634-1703. Treatise of cleanness in meats and drinks... Page Turner - PDF (15.45 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Warner, Richard, 1763-1857. Antiquitates culinariae, or, Curious tracts relating to the culinary affairs of the old English, with a preliminary discourse, notes, and illustrations. London : Printed for R. Blamire ..., 1791. Page Turner - PDF (65.2 MB) - Bibliographic Information
	Woolley, Hannah, fl. 1670. [from old catalog]. Queen-like closet. London, R. Chiswel [etc.] 1684. Page Turner - PDF (186.3 MB) Bibliographic Information