I don't have any photos in my family archives that fit the meme this week. I don't think my frugal German ancestors would have wasted precious photos on household items. Howevert I have inherited from my Great Aunts this encyclopedia outlining everything a womans should know about conducting a household.The book is well worn, so even though my two old aunts were spinsters and intellectuals, they were obviously interested in maintaing a good household.
This book covers such topics as - The House - Choice, Construction and Fittings: Mistress and Servants; Guide to Cookery: Household Linen; Dress - Its choice and Care: Etiquette and Social Guide: Management of Money and Legal Guide: Home Dressmaking: Health and the Toilet: Poultry: Home Nursing and First Aid: Household Upholstery and Repairs: The Child: Home Gardening.
Choosing brushes for the household
Ironing a chemise
Arranging Furniture
Keeping Poultry
Child Care
Household Goods
But what fascinated me most were the chapters on careers for women - remembering this was 1911. I guess it's also what caught the eye of my great aunts - well known academics and teachers in Adelaide. In fact one of them was Senior Mistress in Maths and Physics at Adelaide Boys High School and taught Sir Marcus Oliphant in his Matriculation Year.
Some of the chapters under Women's Careers include - Literary and Secretarial Work: Medicine and Nursing; Women in Horticulture and Agriculture; Domestic Science: Women in Business: Civil Service and Public Work: Arts and crafts: Social and Philanthropic Work and Women in Politics.
All in all a treasured heirloom and interesting reading.
Liz Needle - linking with "Sepia Saturday" and "Tuesday Treasures".
The list of suggested careers for women in 1911 is remarkable. I had no idea options for women back then were that open. Of course the book was written and edited by at least one woman from a career field so I shouldn't be that surprised.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful heirloom to have passed down to you, and it sheds such a light on the role of women.
ReplyDeleteThose kind of books are my absolute favourite. I have several editions of Mrs Beeton's but your book looks fantastic. I love the detail of the pricing. Wonderful stuff!
ReplyDeleteA great book to have inherited, to browse through in wonder. I have a reprinted Australian version of a similar old book. Love the suggestion of mending cracked eggs with a piece of sticking plaster or stamp paper!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure you have there. I too am blown away by the career options. A side by side version of the book...a then and now look at how things were done then and now would be interesting. My nephew and niece who have a very chic hen house (from Williams Sonoma) in their fancy back yard would be horrified to hear their chickens would be delighted to have maggots to eat.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read it. Working in finance, I am especially interested to see what the "Management of Money" tips are. I would really appreciate obtaining a copy if you don't mind? flexonline@bigpond.com
ReplyDeleteOh, I bet that is interesting to look through! I bet our ancestors wouldn't have had time to spend taking photos that we do.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks like it was consulted often and does contain almost "everything a woman ought to know."
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating book! I'm going on a search for that one.
ReplyDeleteWow Liz what a hoot! Thanks for sharing this gem of knowledge. What more treasures might you have?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great piece of History that book is Liz. As many have commented I was surprised at the career options open for Women back then too. I thought that was the era of "a woman's place is in the home"
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating curiosity :)
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteThat is a treasure! We've come a long way, baby. (Thank goodness!)
ReplyDeleteI would give my right arm to have this book. IT IS WONDERFUL! What a treasure. I lost all of mine that I had in my library room which be consumed in hidden black mold. It was a heart breaker. I was able to save a few and some I had in other rooms, but I cannot tell you the number of old books we lost. They were sent to the landfill. I could not bear to burn them. Thought that burying them was more respectful to the history they carried.
ReplyDeleteI had a book like this. Loved the section on "managing without servants"!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating book to own and treasure from your aunts. It reminded me of a radio program I heard about an archive that's purpose is to gather 'how to' information if ever there were an event that wiped out 21st century technology that we now take for granted. Some of the subjects in that archive are ones in your book.
ReplyDeleteWow such an interesting book filled with history of the times...
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating glimpse into the past. How lucky you areto have this book.
ReplyDeleteDiana
http://adifferentlenslens365.blogspot.co.nz/2016/02/goldfields-water-cannon.html
Wow! This book is a real treasure!!
ReplyDeleteIt does look like interesting reading. It is always interesting to read ideas and views from another era.
ReplyDelete