We all have shelf after shelf and cupboard after cupboard filled with our beloved collection of cookbooks. But did you know you might be sitting on a gold mine?Book collectors have revealed that early editions of many cookbooks from various generations get top dollar at auctions, fetching four figure prices in many instances.
Now experts are encouraging everyday people to search their collections, explaining that even the most obscure cook book can make you money.
‘The demand for rare cookbooks is fuelled by the fact they are so hard to find, especially in good condition,’ says online book auction site, AbeBooks. ‘Once a book has gone out-of-print, it becomes increasingly difficult to find and its value increases as it becomes more collectible.
‘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.‘Although countless cookbooks can be easily found at garage sales, thrift shops, and flea markets, the Internet has become the preferred way for collectors to enhance their collections with quality rare books by purchasing from professional booksellers who put their inventories online.’So how do you know if you’re sitting on an in-demand title? Well the most expensive cookbooks sold in recent time – see list below – include many old titles, so experts suggest looking through books that may have been handed down through the generations to see if any of these titles are in your collection.‘Many collectors are drawn to these older books because they catered for kitchens before electricity, microwaves, and refrigerators,’ says AbeBooks. ‘Their recipes reflect dishes, ingredients and styles of cooking that have been forgotten.’
