Great timing! I had just finished a stressful university lesson and almost killed a couple of my students (luckily for them it was a Zoom lesson) when your story about vintage cookbooks popped up on my screen.
I read your very nice piece while having a cup of tea and eating rum raisin chocolate, and now I feel better thank you very much.
Cookbooks may not be my niche but a big pile of books is always a sight to behold.
I don't cook a lot, much less bake (too many tears, ha) but I adore vintage cookbooks for the glimpse of life they offer. There's a lot of time and place buried in those pages -- I find it both fascinating and comforting to access such particular documents of change (and sometimes lack thereof!)
I also love those community cookbooks that are put together and printed by churches, cultural clubs, and other groups, for the same reason -- I like to picture a bunch of grandmothers pooling their (incredible) knowledge so that all their loved ones can benefit. They also used a heck of a lot of butter (margarine was illegal in Wisconsin for 72 years so if it wasn't butter, it was lard) and who doesn't love a liberal hand when it comes to butter?
Such a great hobby, Jolene! I collect cookbooks also, but they’re a pretty eclectic mix of old and new. But I do love the little pamphlet ones issued in the ‘50s and ‘60s by companies like Sunbeam or Pillsbury to sell their products. They’re filled with wonderful classic recipes such as those you feature in this terrific blog!
I love the pamphlets, too, Ruth! I also like the ‘50’s photography that accompany the recipes. Thanks for reminding me to look for some new pamphlets from that era :)
Antique stores are good places to look, Jolene. Usually they’re not that expensive. The photos are fun—and often there are illustrations and old ads that hark back to a different era.
Great timing! I had just finished a stressful university lesson and almost killed a couple of my students (luckily for them it was a Zoom lesson) when your story about vintage cookbooks popped up on my screen.
I read your very nice piece while having a cup of tea and eating rum raisin chocolate, and now I feel better thank you very much.
Cookbooks may not be my niche but a big pile of books is always a sight to behold.
Glad I could help, Gianni! 😂 I agree, a stack of books is always a wonderful sight. Thanks for the idea to write about them.
I can't wait to read the next installment.
I don't cook a lot, much less bake (too many tears, ha) but I adore vintage cookbooks for the glimpse of life they offer. There's a lot of time and place buried in those pages -- I find it both fascinating and comforting to access such particular documents of change (and sometimes lack thereof!)
I also love those community cookbooks that are put together and printed by churches, cultural clubs, and other groups, for the same reason -- I like to picture a bunch of grandmothers pooling their (incredible) knowledge so that all their loved ones can benefit. They also used a heck of a lot of butter (margarine was illegal in Wisconsin for 72 years so if it wasn't butter, it was lard) and who doesn't love a liberal hand when it comes to butter?
Wow! I didn’t know that about Wisconsin! Love this, Sarah, you’ve inspired me to search for community cookbooks. Thanks for this! :)
I so enjoy these historical cooking insights!
Thank you, Dian! :)
Hi Jolene,
what a great concept. I love old cookbooks and inherited a bunch from Great grandma and grandmas
Maybe there is a collaboration here in front of us?
What a great inheritance, Ric! I will email you about this, thanks for posting!
Such a great hobby, Jolene! I collect cookbooks also, but they’re a pretty eclectic mix of old and new. But I do love the little pamphlet ones issued in the ‘50s and ‘60s by companies like Sunbeam or Pillsbury to sell their products. They’re filled with wonderful classic recipes such as those you feature in this terrific blog!
I love the pamphlets, too, Ruth! I also like the ‘50’s photography that accompany the recipes. Thanks for reminding me to look for some new pamphlets from that era :)
Antique stores are good places to look, Jolene. Usually they’re not that expensive. The photos are fun—and often there are illustrations and old ads that hark back to a different era.
I am an avid cookbook collector. Great to see your list. I will check the book out.
Thanks, Paul, would love to know about some of your favorites from your collection!
One of my favorite cookbooks is 'The Joy of Cooking." Such great, classic recipes can be found throughout.