One does not have to be a chef, nor gourmet cook, to appreciate the enormous selection and availability of old cookbooks. Indeed, the first hurdle may be to decide what direction to pursue in this colorful art form.

America`s fascination with the culinary arts took shape in the 1880s. There was a burgeoning interest by urban homemakers in the culinary arts, along with a trend towards "scientific" cooking. Cooking schools sprouted up nationally, and many talented cooks emerged in this new and exciting field. One of the most popular was Fannie Merritt Farmer. After studying in the Boston Cooking School, Fanny created her own institution in 1902, known as `Miss Farmer`s School of Cookery Numerous publications were produced by Ms. Farmer, including the "Boston-Cooking Book`, and `Fannie Farmer Cookbook." These hardbound cookery bibles introduced the concept of accurate measurements. In fact, Fannie was often referred to as "the mother of level measurements". Today, her revolutionary cookbooks are a favorite with collectors.

Rufus Estes, appears to be the first African-American chef to write a cookbook. His `Good Things to Eat, as Suggested by Rufus` was published in 1911. A Tennessee native born into slavery, Rufus became an employee of the Pullman Railway. During his stint as a cook during the 1880`s, he prepared meals for Presidents Cleveland & Harrison, as well as visiting royalty and prominent entertainers. Although only about 12 original copies exist, you can still enjoy his diverse recipes and commentaries by browsing a newly reissued copy available from Howling at the Moon Press. `Good Things to Eat` is a fascinating historical account of an era in American History.

Possibly the most sought after category of cookbooks, are advertising and promotional booklets. Still relatively inexpensive, it`s a buyer`s market, when it comes to collecting booklets related to milk, cereal, gelatin, nut, fruits and shortening. And, don`t neglect titles related to yeast, spices and extracts, baking powder and sodas, sweeteners or chocolate. One of my favorites is `My Party of Tested Chocolate Recipes,` published by General Foods in 1938. This soft cover cookbook, although not a rare piece, reflects a bygone era when calories didn`t count and chocolate lovers delighted in rich and delicious holiday desserts, such as St. Valentine`s Special and Jack-O-Lantern Yum-Yums.

Some collectors show off cookbooks as part of theme displays. For those pursuing dairy memorabilia, there are glass bottles, colorful labels from canned milk producers, such as Bordens, Pet Milk, Carnation and Sealtest, and butter and cheese boxes. `Cheese Recipes for Wartime Meals, How to Make Your Cheese go Further`, published in 1943, by Kraft is the perfect tie-in!

Gelatin desserts, is another category that offers varied, and often whimsical tin molds, as well as framable magazine advertisements featuring smiling children, busy homemakers and helpful grandmothers. Although JELL-OR was introduced in the 1897, it didn`t become a dessert and buffet table mainstay until several decades later. In the 1920`s artists such as Maxfield Parrish created delightful covers for JELL-OR cookbooks. These artistic endeavors are highly sought after in today`s competitive market.

While some collectors opt to specialize in promotional booklets, others prefer pocket volumes, charity publications, fund raising collective works, regional recipes, or political cookbooks. Another collecting specialty is Depression era cookbooks which portray imaginative ways to feed large extended families. Then, as now, the illustrations are often what sell a cookbook. Recently, I came across the "Calumet Cook Book" from 1922. The soft yellow cover adorned with a beautiful young woman blending ingredients in her yellow ware-mixing bowl, captured my attention and convinced me to buy it.

Even if you never intend to try out the recipes within, vintage cookbooks are still quite a bargain. Ranging in price from several dollars to several hundreds for choice volumes, you don`t need to tie on an apron to appreciate a glimpse into the kitchens--and lives--of our parents and grandparents. To a true collector, that`s priceless!