This is the beloved 1961 hardcover edition of Betty Crocker's New Picture Cook Book—the classic that taught America to cook in the early '60s.
With 455 pages of step-by-step illustrated recipes, color photographs, and comprehensive how-to guidance, this is a genuine working cookbook that was actually used, loved, and trusted in a real kitchen.
The stains on the favorite recipe pages? That's the mark of a cookbook that truly mattered to a family.
Quick Specs
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Genre: Cookbook / Home Economics
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Author: Betty Crocker Kitchens / General Mills
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Decorator: Joseph Pearson
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Publisher: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.
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Year: 1961
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Edition: First Edition
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Format: Hardcover
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Pages: 455
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Dimensions: 9.5 × 7.75 inches (approximate)
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Cover: Cream/ivory boards with multi-color photographic grid and colored spine
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Special Features: Full-color illustrated recipes, step-by-step photography, comprehensive sections on meats, cakes, cookies, appetizers, meal planning, kitchen tips, decorating ideas
Condition Grade: Good
Notes: This is a genuinely well-loved, well-used family cookbook—which is exactly why it's wonderful.
Cover shows wear consistent with kitchen use: the spine has creasing and light fading, corners are rubbed, and the multi-color grid on the front shows light soiling. Most tellingly, favorite recipe pages show food stains (see photos)—evidence of actual cooking, testing, and family meals made from this book.
All 455 pages are present and legible.
Interior pages have aged to a cream color, and yellowing is consistent throughout. Binding is tight and secure. No major tears or missing pages.
This is a working cookbook that still works, not a mint collector's piece, but a genuine kitchen treasure.
See all photos for detail — sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key:
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Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
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Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
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Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
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Fair: Shows significant wear. Readable and collectible but clearly used.
Collector's Notes
This is the real thing—an actual family cookbook, not a showpiece. The food stains on those favorite recipe pages are the soul of this book. First edition hardcover Betty Crocker's New Picture Cookbook from 1961 are increasingly difficult to find in this format (the 5-ring binder versions are more common). Joseph Pearson's artwork is gorgeous mid-century modern design throughout.
Perfect for serious vintage cookbook collectors, anyone who cooks from vintage recipes, or anyone who wants an authentic piece of 1960s American home culture. This book has stories in its stains.
Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)
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Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.
