This is Helen Worth’s classic Down-on-the-Farm Cook Book—a hearty tour of American country cooking gathered from real farm kitchens.
First issued in 1943 and reissued by Gramercy in 1981, it keeps the methods practical and the flavors honest. Inside you’ll find breads, pies, cookies, roasts, relishes, and straightforward tips that actually help in the kitchen.
Photo-verified and ready for your shelf—free shipping included.
Quick Specs
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Item Type: Vintage cookbook (hardcover with dust jacket)
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Size: 8 × 6 × 1 in
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Material: Maroon cloth boards; printed dust jacket; paper text block
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Color: Maroon boards; brown jacket with farm-kitchen photo montage
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Origin or Maker: Gramercy Publishing Company, New York (distributed by Crown), USA
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Year or Era: 1981 edition (original copyright 1943; renewal 1970)
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GENRE: Vintage Country & Regional Cookbook; American Farm Cooking
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Language / Pages: English; 322 pages
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Identifiers: ISBN 0-517-357305; LCCN class TX715.W93 (shown)
Edition & Features
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Edition/Printing: 1981 Gramercy edition (reissue of the 1943 classic)
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Dust Jacket: Present; edge/rub wear and small nicks; protected in a new removable mylar (add if you sleeve it)
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Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Text-forward recipes with headings; index
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Extras: Maxwell House “Coffee Breaks” pamphlet and a loose Peaches ’n Cream Pancakes recipe card left as found for your enjoyment; neat inscription on front endpaper (appears personal, not authenticated)
Condition Grade: Very Good book / Good jacket
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Notes: Clean, solid copy with light page toning typical of age. Front free endpaper bears a neat inscription dated 10/84 (presumed previous owner). Boards square; binding tight. Dust jacket shows surface rubbing, small edge creases, and wear at spine ends; rear panel with a few marks (see photos). Interior pages crisp and legible.
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
Estate-sourced; ephemera kept with the book to preserve its kitchen history.
About the Author / Maker: Helen Worth
Helen Worth (Helen Levison Worth) wrote practical American cookbooks including Shrimp Cookery and Cooking Without Recipes. This 1981 Gramercy edition keeps her original 1943 focus on reliable methods and farm-tested dishes.
Cook like a farmhouse pro—then display this classic on your kitchen shelf.
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.
