All About Cookbooks

I have a huge vintage cookbook collection. I've recently taken a count and it is nearing over 100 of them thus far!  This doesn't include pamphlets either!   I once saw a man on some cooking show who had a personal library of over 4500 cookbooks. I'm not that bad yet, but I imagine at the rate I'm going I'll be close to that by my retirement. 

I have here just a small sample of my books - it is mostly of pictures that I already have or have gotten on-line.  I also have nearly every Martha Stewart book but I'm not a typical fan. I like her ideas on things and usually adapt them to my own style. One thing I have that she no longer does is her writing paper. Now that is definitely a collector's item! 

I also have (so far) every Leisure Art's Spirit of Christmas series. I got into these books from my friend Vicki and it's just continued. I am also into Susan Branch, and recently for my birthday my friend Vicki got me the 'Girlfriends Forever' book. She does all sorts of books, cards, stationary, stickers, etc. Although, sadly she is popular at home but it seems she's not gotten a hold in the UK. 

My friend Vicki (can you see she has an influence on me?!) got me a Gooseberry Patch cookbook one Christmas and well it's just continued.  I have their cookie book which comes in handy at cookie making time.  I also have a growing collection of Nigella Lawson, Rick Stein, and Two Fat Ladies going as well. Can you see that it will never end?  I'm thinking that too! =) 

I have a ton of new books in addition to older cookbooks.  I am quite selective now (space is at a premium!) but it is on a subject I am passionate about then I cannot help myself.  I have a great deal of books about bread and baking (gee wonder why?!) but have found this book to be just about the best you can do when you are new to bread.  It is called Dough and is by Richard Bertinet.  It comes with a DVD which shows you the basic kneading technique.  I have tried several of the recipes in it and can say it is really worth its money.  I got it on loan ages ago from the library and it immediately went on the 'Got to Have' list (yes there is a long list believe it or not!). 

I got this book ages ago in America at an estate sale of course cheaply.  I then found it for sale on this web site for $34.50.  I suppose it is good to know that things I got so cheaply will support me in my old age - if I ever part with them that is!

I really must be stopped! =)

This is another acquisition - can you tell I'm not going to stop?!  It is a reprint of Eliza Acton's 'Modern Cookery for Private Families'.  It is from the 1960's but at the price I couldn't pass it up.  I can hardly afford a real 1845 copy so this will have to do.  What I found interesting was there was a recipe for Mushroom Risotto and it was made exactly the same way as it is today (the only exception being it was for plain rice - don't think they had the Arborio kind around - but then again perhaps they did?!).  Funny or what??

This is 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking' by Julia Child.  It was written in the 1960's and is held in high esteem as a classic.  I originally got one volume for directions on puff pastry and then got the other just to have the set complete.  How can one not? =)  A book worth reading is a book called  Julie & Julia.  It was a good read and I found it quite amusing.

This book is called 'Beard on Bread' and is written by James Beard.  I had read it is THE cookbook to get if you are into baking bread.  So found it rather cheap on (yes you guessed it!) eBay and got it.  Must admit I've enjoyed the book and have learned a few things from it.  I'll let you know what I think about the recipes when I try a few of them!

This cookbook is from 1947 - it is a re-print of a 1925 copy. It is called the 'Gentle Art of Cookery'. I found it for £5.00 on eBay and snapped it up. I learned of the author from an autobiography book on Elizabeth David. 

Apparently, this is the cookbook that started her off onto her career of becoming a food writer. I can see why after flipping through it there was a recipe for Ice Cream of Roses.  Now isn't that just so different?  BTW, the author who happens to be Mrs C F Leyel is the founder of Culpepper's in London and also founded the Society of Herbalists. She apparently was also much inspired by Eastern cooking. 

I've begun an Elizabeth David collection - so far I have most of the original ones.  This book by Elizabeth David I got at the Library when they were selling their excess stock.  It is from the 60's and looked not to have been loaned too many times and at £0.25p how can one go wrong? =)   I have to say that I really like her English Bread and Yeast Cookery (1977) book and it is by far my favourite. I'll work on getting a few snaps of those! I even have one that is autographed by her. 

This is a General Foods cookbook from 1932. Good condition and a good read. 

I don't have this one but saw it and grabbed the picture. It's on my list "have to find someday." 

Another old neat one from 1902 which cost quite a bit of money from the price of .25 cents. The cover is off its spine but it is a neat book. 

This is one of Mrs. Beeton's books. I wish I had gotten this one but unfortunately it went at auction for too much money (or more than I'm willing to pay, I should say). I do however, have a few of her other numerous cookbooks which I still refer to for various things. 

This is one of the famous White House Cookbooks from 1912. It's in very good condition but the paper shows its age. However it's a small piece of history. 

This cookbook was my grandmother's and its survived in excellent condition. I am told she used it quite a bit but improvised her recipes with things she found in here. I still have some of the recipes that she invented and they still work today. I might someday work on a cookbook of my own with my own recipes and those of my family's put together in one spot. More than likely that will have to wait till my retirement years. 

My newest thing is that I've bought an old ledger book dirt cheap (isn't that the only way to buy?!) that was unused (with the exception of a few pages but they can be removed). I'm going to put my recipes there for the next generation to have and use. I'm also trying to improve my penmanship so that I can use my old pen nibs to record the recipes with. Oh isn't that a bit much! I'll work on getting a picture of the ledger.  

Here is a few snaps of my handwritten cookbooks that I've managed to get. Most are in OK condition but they are fragile. I sort of use them to create recipes or improve ones I've read someplace else. 

Revised: 25 March 2007.