Scope and arrangement
The papers contain ledger books, typescripts and manuscripts relating to Augusta Foote Arnold's three published books and a cookbook written by her daughter, Frances A. Arnold. The papers span from 1893 to 1903. Augusta Foote Arnold wrote her two cookbooks under the pseudonym Mary Ronald.
One ledger contains handwritten entries describing Augusta Foote Arnold's writing of The Century Cook Book (1895), and later activities surrounding its publication (proofreading, financial agreements, sales, and royalties and how she invested them). It also contains a short list of her published articles, mostly on cooking (1896-1897) and sheets describing the illustrations used in the book.
The second ledger, inscribed Account Book of the Sea Beach at Ebb-Tide Issued May 15, 1901, describes in a few pages the work's history and production (start and completion dates, dates of first and last page proof readings, and date contract was signed), as well as financial matters, such as copies sold and expenses relating to the work.
Also included in the papers is a typescript of Luncheons, A Cook's Picture Book; A Supplement to the Century Cook Book (1902) with numerous corrections and changes.
The manuscript cookbook by Augusta's daughter, Frances A. Arnold, contains recipes for soups, meats, fish, desserts, etc., with the inscription Frances Arnold Oct – 8 – 1893 – Bryn Mawr – Penn. Private.