Collecting cookbooks

[patken]

As a novice cookbook collector with over 200 cookbooks, I would like to find out what chowhounds think are the most (prized) valuable 20th century cookbooks to collect. From the first part of the century to the present.

[HillJ]

WITH LOVE FROM YOUR KITCHEN/Diana & Paul Von Welanetz

During their stint on national public television, teaching couples to cook together, the Von Welanetz were my favorite home cooks/chefs. If you can track down a copy of any of their recipe books you've got a real gem. WITH LOVE....was my personal fav and Ebay has it used for 5.00.

[Hungry Celeste]

My collection is highly regional--I esp treasure early editions of the Times-Picayune's Creole Cook Book, Lafcadio Hearn's Creole Cookbook, the original edition of River Road Recipes, and a whole bunch of now-out-of-print community cookbooks that showcased a rising awareness of regional culinary heritage.

[alkapal]

River Road Recipes rocks!!! I also have a general suggestion --be very picky about ones you choose to keep. I am a cookbook addict, and have to fight for space in my home. They have to be unique in their oustanding quality, combinations, or food/regional/restaurant lore for me. (I am still culling for a sale of so many that no longer make the cut!) Ask yourself each time you are tempted, "what does this REALLY bring that is outstanding?"

[Hungry Celeste]

I tend to have a more ecumenical approach. I also like pamphlets/food-related ephemera, so I have a bunch of funky things that aren't really used for recipes or cooking tips, but function more as a regionally themed culinary archive.

[brandygirl]

TREASURY OF GREAT RECIPES by Vincent Price is one of my greatest treasures. It's a beautiful book with recipes from some of the great old restaurants.

[Sherri]

Ask someone who knows the cookbook collection business. In NY, Nach Waxman, KITCHEN ARTS & LETTERS and Bonnie Slotnick, BONNIE SLOTNICK COOKBOOKS, have many years of experience and are very helpful. Google and call them for your answer. I bet they'll have suggestions for you. Good Luck!

[MakingSense]

First edition of The Joy of Cooking.
If you can't find or afford it, any pre-1950s version - to see how ordinary American cooking and food has changed since WWII.