This is a hefty, well-loved classic: The American Woman’s Cook Book—a vintage Cookbook & Culinary History time capsule that was clearly used, saved, and built on. Beyond the printed recipes, this copy is overflowing with handwritten notes, clipped newspaper recipes, and tucked-in kitchen ephemera, which makes it feel like a family archive in book form.
It’s organized with an indexed page-edge system, and the table of contents shows a wide range—from basics and menu planning to desserts, candies, and more.
It’s ready for collectors who love “real kitchen” history.\
Quick Specs
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Item Type: Vintage hardcover cookbook
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Size: 8.5 × 6 × 2 inches
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Material: Hardcover (boards) / paper
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Color: Green with red/burgundy titling; multicolor food-photo endpapers
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Origin or Maker: Consolidated Book Publishers, Inc. (Chicago, Illinois)
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Year or Era: 1940
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GENRE: Vintage Cookbook & Culinary History (American home cooking)
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Language / Pages: English / 815 pages
Edition & Features
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Dust Jacket: Missing (not shown in photos)
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Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Food photography and black-and-white illustrated/photo pages (as pictured)
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Extras: Heavy handwritten notes; clipped newspaper/magazine recipes; loose recipe cards; brand ephemera (a Kraft recipe card is visible); indexed page-edge sections; significant taped repairs
Condition Grade: Fair
Notes: This book is not in good shape—and that’s part of its story. Covers show heavy wear and multiple tape repairs; corners/edges are rubbed and bumped; pages are age-toned; index cutouts show wear; lots of loose and tucked-in clippings/cards create bulk and uneven edges. Interior text appears readable in the photos, but expect a true “working archive” copy rather than a clean shelf copy.
- See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
Provenance & Notes
Not provided (beyond what’s visible). This copy includes extensive handwritten notes and a thick collection of saved recipes and clippings from a prior owner, as shown in the photos and your notes.
About the Author Ruth Berolzheimer
Edited by Ruth Berolzheimer (named on the cover). The spine references the Culinary Arts Institute, tying this book to the era’s big push for organized, practical home cooking.
If you love cookbooks that feel lived-in and storied, this one has decades of kitchen fingerprints.
Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide.
While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & 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.
Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
About Reading Vintage
At Reading Vintage, I curate one-of-a-kind treasures for book lovers, decorators, and collectors—including vintage books, retro bookends, and charming collectible pieces.
