[Trade catalogue for John Slater's patented steam kitchen] by TRADE CATALOGUE - John Slater - 1810

[Birmingham, 1810. Oblong small folio. 16 engraved leaves. With 4 small letterpress explanatory handbills mounted (one on front pastedown, the others on verso of first three plates). Contemporary manuscript annotations, including prices. Contemporary calf-backed marbled paper wrappers Provenance: Elizabeth David (booklabel) Rare early illustrated trade catalogue for steam ovens. James Slater's steam kitchen was primarily used in workhouses, hospitals, or other such high-volume, low-cost kitchens. The cast iron stoves, which also included a roasting oven, heated water to create steam, which was then carried by internal pipes to reservoirs which held custom-built rectangular pots. The letterpress advertisement on verso of the first plate describes the process: "The Patent Steam Kitchen possess the Advantage of cooling in the most delicate manner, either by steam or by water, separately or conjointly, at one and the same time; and when combined with a roaster, and with or without a hot closet, will cook victuals, both roast and boiled, for from ten to fifty persons and upwards, with one small fire only, and that not larger than is necessary for the boiling of one small pot or kettle in the usual mode of cooking. The great savings of fuel bears but a small proportion to its other advantages, as there is a saving of one pound of meat in ten, and a superabundance of rich gravy produced ... [It] forms, in a very small compass, the most compact, clean and best cooking apparatus in the world, for steaming, boiling, roasting, broiling, baking and stewing, in the highest perfection ..." The engravings depict both larger and smaller, portable models, all in various configurations, as well as many of the internal fittings and necessary pots and utensils. Winterthur notes copies with 18 leaves of plates (circa 1810) and 42 leaves of plates (1819). This copy from the library of noted gastronomy writer Elizabeth David, and would appear complete as issued.