13 Vintage Cookbooks That Are Worth a Small Fortune (And How To Spot Them)

There's a special nostalgia you get when browsing vintage cookbooks. From recipes you remember from childhood to the absurdity of foods you'd never eat, these books can be an endless source of entertainment. What you might not realize is that some vintage cookbooks may also offer you the chance to boost your bank account significantly.

You might find one of these gems at an estate sale, or you may have been lucky enough to inherit it. Check your cupboards and you might even discover you've got one of these precious books tucked away. What's important is that you know how to identify it and what it could be worth.

Take a look at these 13 vintage cookbooks and discover their average value on the market.

Market value: $50

First published in Connecticut in 1796, this book is remarkable in that it's the first known cookbook written by an American. While original copies are largely confined to resources like the Internet Archive, reprints from the 1960s still go for around $50 on auction sites. Genuine copies will have "1963" printed on the book and a floral book jacket.

Market value: $60

Art fanatics in the 1970s may have inadvertently picked up what's now considered a culinary delight. Combining art, cooking, and surrealism, this book serves up more than 100 recipes from top Paris restaurants of the time. Original copies in good condition can fetch over $60, but you could get more by approaching a Dalí collector directly.

Market value: $75

One of the first books to introduce French cuisine to an American audience, the 1893 and 1896 editions of this classic are much sought after. Check for the tagline "French Cooking for Every Home" and look for the publishing date printed on the title page. In good condition, your copy could sell for more than $75.

Market value: $115

This cookbook fetches around $115 in decent condition and is a collection of tips on buying food, menu making, and dozens of recipes and techniques. Avoid the many brown leather reproductions, as 1939 and 1940s editions were green hardbacks with black text on the cover. Genuine copies will also have finger grooves set into the pages.

Market value: $150

One of the earliest cookbooks filled with colorful images, this 1950 release was updated and expanded in 1956. That's the edition you'll usually find in antique book sales, going for up to $150. Unlike the first edition with its patterned red and white cover, this more valuable edition has images of pie, corn, and a chicken on the front cover.

Market value: $160

Offering recipes like Fresh Peach Cobbler and Apple Farm Cake, this restaurant-sponsored cookbook is a slice of Missouri country living. First published in 1967, there are various printings available now, but the oldest are still worth the most. A second edition (1968) may go for $1,600, but they are almost impossible to find. However, a copy from 1987 is likely to fetch $160. Genuine copies have a spiral or comb binding.

Market value: $575

Subtitled "Methodical Cook," this guide to 19th-century Southern fare is a rare find in its original binding. Look for the dates "1824" or "1858" on the frontispiece, as both of these printings are valuable. They can fetch more than $500, so even finding a second edition could net you a tidy sum. Watch out for new reproductions and paperbacks, as these aren't worth anywhere near as much.

Market value: up to $700

A testament to America's long history of welcoming all, this book focuses on ways for young women recently arrived from Europe to raise their families. Although originally published in 1902, there are various editions, many of which are valuable. A 1949 edition is for sale for $250, while a post-Prohibition edition can go for up to $700.

Market value: $950

If you have history buffs or WWII enthusiasts in your family, you may have a copy of this scarcity-based cookbook on your shelves. Originally a collection of newspaper articles, this volume covers "crisis cooking" in a lyrical style. Originals with the green and gold dust jacket may sell for over $950.

Market value: $1,500

Many people have a copy of this, as it's one of America's most published cookbooks. However, some editions sell for more than others. Signed copies of the gray, blue, and red 1952 edition sell for $1,500.

Market value: up to $2,000

A collection of more than 200 recipes from actors and actresses from the 1930s, this cookbook is also an entertaining dive into the habits of Hollywood during this era. It's a rare find, and prices range from $95 to $2,000, depending on the condition and if the book is signed. The original hardback should be red with gold text on the cover under the dust jacket.

Market value: up to $6,500

Credited with popularizing French food, Julia Child was a culinary mogul. There are two volumes of this famous book, but the first volume tends to sell for more. Currently, editions are sold by reputable booksellers for more than $2,600. Signed copies are worth much more, with a set of both volumes, signed, going for $6,500.

Market value: up to $7,000 for the full collection

Mrs. Beeton's volumes are rare and expensive, but only if you're looking at editions from the 19th century. The book was originally published in separate volumes, which, if you find, can sell for up to $7,000 for the full collection. Single volumes from the 1800s can go for more than $400.

It may be difficult to determine if your vintage cookbook is original, or reproduction, or rare versus common, but you can locate an expert to authenticate it on the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America's site.

And when you're ready to earn income outside of work, know that there's a market. The founder of Press, a San Francisco vintage book retailer, says most volumes she posts to Instagram sell within three minutes. Time to clean out those cupboards!