Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Vintage Thursday Thingie: The Boston Cooking School Cookbook


The Boston Cooking School Cook Book is probably better known today as The Fannie Farmer Cookbook. It was first published in 1896 and sold 3,000 copies that first year. It was reprinted in 1897 and again sold out all 3,000 copies. It was a hit! and revolutionized cooking and baking with its standardized measures. (Remember having to use a knife to level the flour in a measuring cup in home ec....well, thank Fanny Farmer!)

This copy is from the second printing of the revised 1930 edition-by then 1,486,000 copies had been sold!

Wasn't this a wonderful gift! Darcy knew of my love of all things vintage! and has trusted me with her family treasure.




The obligatory opening picture of the test kitchen! But look at that island with the pots hanging! Best test kitchen in any of my cookbooks! So modern! And what could she be making after icing her cake?


Why not Eggs a la Goldenrod? Using those 1930s well-loved hard boiled eggs! In case you didn't like the egg croquettes from a few weeks ago:


While this egg recipe may not be to my taste ( there are lots of good recipes in this cookbook) the presentation! and the dish! are lovely!

But the very best part of this cookbook are the advertisements in the back. Need some oil?



Forget the Mazola, I want the coat and the hat! And don't they make a lovely couple...shouldn't they go out dancing?


Maybe you need some coffee? Its delivered fresh twice a week by the Fleischmann's Yeast Man!!
In this ad, Fleischmann's doesn't want you to buy their yeast, they're reassuring you that all the best groceries and bakers are using their yeast just like "discriminating housewives used to before quality bakers relieved them of the drudgery of home baking". This is such a modern cookbook!




But maybe you don't need food supplies..after all, this is the age of mechanical innovation.

( I remember my elderly uncle never said "Lets take the car" - it was "Lets take the machine"...and this was the 1950s!)


Could you use any of these kitchen helpers?





Need a new washer? Or better yet, a sewing machine? Graybar's at Lexington and 43rd is the place to go...they design their appliances for a woman from a woman's viewpoint. Oh yeah!




Need a new stove? Wow, this has a double oven and a storage drawer! I should have looked at this model last Thanksgiving when my oven died the day before the big dinner. Oh, that's not a storage drawer...I think its where the coal goes!







Maybe you need some new dishware/ casseroles? What's this new product?...Pyrex!





These are my 1930s Pyrex dishes. They were my grandmother's. I don't use them anymore because there used to be three and now there are only two :( There also was a wonderful removeable handle that has simply disappeared (unless it broke and no one told me....)


This is my 101st post. To mark the 100th post milestone, I'm having a give-away so just scroll down to the post below this. (No, not the Pyrex.)
I was so clueless when I started that my second post was that I had added a picture to the first! But by the fourth post...well, that was VTT! and I was in full swing!


To see more vintage treasures and to join us for a fun time, hop on over to Coloradolady.














27 comments:

Postcardy said...

I like looking at vintage cookbooks and ads too. And I am a fan of Pyrex casseroles too.

I am having trouble enlarging pictures tonight--maybe I can get a better look later.

Coloradolady said...

What a special gift indeed. I just had a grand time looking at the pages of this wonderful treasure. I know you will treasure this wonderful cookbook always!

Susan said...

Fanny Farmer was THE cookbook but I didn't know the origins. Those pictures of appliances are so cool. One very brief time I wanted an old farm house kitchen and this could have helped me.

★Carol★ said...

I love this book, with all of the ads in it! Old cookbooks are so interesting to read, like one of mine from WWII, with the coupons in it and how to ration your food. Love how you tied in your Pyrex with the ad in the cookbook!

Keetha Broyles said...

Love how the sponsor's ads were all the way through the book.

That RANGE - - - wow, that would be AWESOME to have.

I love your friend's note on the cover fly.

Anonymous said...

i want that coat & hat too hahaha!!..that book's a real gem :)

Protector of Vintage said...

What a neat treasure!! I love browsing through vintage books. (I still use a knife to level-off my measuring cups!!) Have a nice day!

Unknown said...

I love perusing old cook books and reading their 'quaint' ways! My daughter (who is 20 now) came home from a friend's house wanting eggs goldenrod when she was in High School. I made it. Can't say I liked it though!

Ulla said...

That is a lovely cookbook, and a very special gift to receive. The ads are so cute!

Barbara Jean said...

Really cool book!!
Love those pages of writing.
blessings,
barbara jean

anythinggoeshere said...

Thanks for visiting. I think I need all of those MODERN kitchen helpers. Happy VTT!

Marie Reed said...

I stil use a knife to level off my flour to! Now I know who to thank!

Vicky said...

What a wonderful vintage cookbook from a friend.
Thanks for the visit, about the trishaw, once the man get on the seat of the bike, he should be tall enough to see over the "roof" and see where he is going...

ClassyChassy said...

Great items - love the advertisements too - interesting to look at after all these years!

SueLovesCherries said...

What a treasure! Love the ads!

Kellie said...

Old cookbooks are so much fun...I loved getting a look at this one! Thanks for sharing!

Brenda Pruitt said...

That book is an absolute treasure! If there is ever a fire, grab it and run!
Brenda

viridian said...

This is indeed a special gift from a friend.
If I were transported to the past, I would be lost. A friend of mine had a reprint of the original of this cookbook, and I remember the very first chapter was how to lay a fire (in an old caast iron cookstove, of course). I was clueless.

Micki said...

I love vintage cookbooks like this. Wonderful!
Micki

LV said...

What a wonderful collection you have. I am not much of a cook but that old cook book is a real treasure. Truly enjoyed your post. Also, than you for visiting m,ine.

Becky said...

I've seen that cookbook somewhere before but didn't make the connection to Fannie Farmer - doh!

Thanks for sharing. The ads are wonderful!

Happy VTT!

Julia said...

I love this old book, with all of the ads in it! Old cookbooks are so interesting to read, I have my high school cook book, over 50 yrs old now...falling apart, but I love it and still use it.
Julia ♥

Bea said...

How nice that your friend gave you a family heirloom. I still use a knife to level off my flour and sugar. Great post, Miri.

Bunny said...

Love your post on the cookbook. Those photos are terrific. Love them.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

wow.. this book is such a hit! the recipes in it must be delicious! i love vintage books, the older the better and you got very nice vintagey ones.. Happy VTT and have a great day..

the wild raspberry said...

old books are such wonderful treasures!
have a lovely weekend...
chasity

Eileen said...

Hi Miri. I know I'm terribly late commenting here.. it's almost the next VTT already.. but I'm always on a hampster wheel it seems.
This is truly a wonderful post. I love how you highlighted the advertising.. so much fun! I want that hat too.