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The value of some collectible cookbooks can be quite surprising, such as the $4,000 and up tag for a first edition (1931) Irma Rombauer's "Joy of Cooking."
That goes a bit beyond the usual ten or fifteen dollars per book. Sentiment plays a part, experts say, in prices for early Betty Crocker cookbooks. When writing about collectible cookbooks over 20 years ago, I recommended against viewing them as investment. So, why collect? To study an area of special interest, to connect with the past -- when our relationship with food was generally more direct, or perhaps as background for a favored cooking style.
And it is quite possible that if your collection is focused and somewhat unique, it will indeed gain value over time. The ABE collectible cookbook site offers this advice: "Condition is the key factor. Look for a pristine copy that appears to have been lovingly read rather than one that has endured the heat, liquids and dirty fingerprints of a working kitchen. Is it signed by the author or someone of note? Does it have a dust jacket? Is it a first edition? Is it out-of-print? These are all important factors to take into consideration before purchasing."
Visiting the sites of specialty dealers will give an idea of asking prices, which is not quite the same as value. In monetary terms, value is what someone else is willing to pay for your treasure.
That goes a bit beyond the usual ten or fifteen dollars per book. Sentiment plays a part, experts say, in prices for early Betty Crocker cookbooks. When writing about collectible cookbooks over 20 years ago, I recommended against viewing them as investment. So, why collect? To study an area of special interest, to connect with the past -- when our relationship with food was generally more direct, or perhaps as background for a favored cooking style.
And it is quite possible that if your collection is focused and somewhat unique, it will indeed gain value over time. The ABE collectible cookbook site offers this advice: "Condition is the key factor. Look for a pristine copy that appears to have been lovingly read rather than one that has endured the heat, liquids and dirty fingerprints of a working kitchen. Is it signed by the author or someone of note? Does it have a dust jacket? Is it a first edition? Is it out-of-print? These are all important factors to take into consideration before purchasing."
Visiting the sites of specialty dealers will give an idea of asking prices, which is not quite the same as value. In monetary terms, value is what someone else is willing to pay for your treasure.
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