...is definitely through my book shelf, specifically my cookbook shelf. My friend Heather came to visit last month for ACL and brought me a lovely little stack of cookbooks for my collection. (Thank you!) Of course, Heather and I go way, WAY back (We were babes in the nursery together and our grandmother's played basketball in high school. Basically, we knew each other before we even knew each other.) and she is a fellow cookbookaholic, so doesn't have to gift her way into my life. But you, dear reader, are you trying to get closer to me but just can't? Are you looking for that special something that will endear me to your forever or for at least two weeks? Vintage cookbooks are the way to go.Things to consider:
1. Important authors: While I have most of the important texts by Child, Beard, Crocker, Claiborne and others, I don't have all of them. Take a chance, roll the dice--you could come out on top.
2. Illustrations: As an incredibly visual person, I'm oftern drawn more to the photographs or illustrations than text. Initially at least. Look for something specifically indicative of a period. I have a Jell-O cookbook from the 1930s which has the most adorable little deco illustrations of wealthy-looking deco women serving Jell-O. Or their maids serving it. Will I ever make any of those recipes? No, but I do like looking at the pictures.
3. Condition: If it's falling apart, it's probably been loved enough.
4. Hidden secrets: There is nothing I enjoy more than acquiring a cookbook and then finding scraps of recipes inside. Or notes. Or references to other recipes. Those recipe file books? Those are the absolute best.