Tips for Measuring a Cookbook’s Value

Question: We have an extensive collection of cookbooks. What do collectors look for in such collections?--C.T.

Answer: For openers, the books should be clean and in good condition. Food stains reduce value, collectors say.

Additionally, value could increase if there are recipe notes in a cookbook’s margins. This is particularly true if the book belonged to a person of note or a cook with a local or national following.

Early American cookbook titles include “The Frugal Housewife,” “Complete Woman Cook” and “American Cookery,” all published in 1796, the first two in Philadelphia and the latter produced in Hartford, Conn.

Generally, the collectible value, even of the early cookbooks, is not in the megabuck range. For example, mid-19th-Century cookbooks have sold in the $60-to-$100 range.

Also of interest to collectors are cookbooks that have been given away over the years as advertising giveaways or premiums.

Q: We have some bowls made by the Central Glass Works company. How far back does the firm go?--S.P.

A: The Central Glass Works firm appears to have opened its doors in Wheeling, W. Va., during the Civil War. Following a bumpy start, the company was reorganized after the war and stayed in business until 1939.

The company’s earliest products, according to collectors, were bottles and lamps. But after the turn of the century, the Works, as it was known, began producing more expensive crystal and tableware.

Following World War I, the firm acquired some Chippendale mold patterns, which it proceeded to successfully market in many forms, such as butter dishes.

Many of the firm’s pieces advertised in dealer books are not overly expensive, selling for about $20; few appear to exceed $50 in value despite the good workmanship. Undoubtedly, this is a product of supply and demand--that is, the Works produced thousands of decorated tableware pieces over the years, and they are not too difficult for collectors to find.

Q: How often should collectors appraise their collections in terms of keeping their insurance current?--C.H.

A: Depending on the value of your collection, a rule of thumb is to re-evaluate your collection every three years.

But one collector said given the value of his collection and the vagaries of inflation and collectors’ tastes, he appraises his collection every year. But this particular collector has a highly valued furniture collection.

Doll or toy collectors, for example, might want to appraise their collection about every three to five years, depending on the value of the items.

A periodic appraisal, of course, is not only essential to protect your investment from potential thievery, but it can provide you with valuable information about any recent spurts in the collectible marketplace.

An extreme example might be a Philadelphia Chippendale mahogany tea table that Christie’s sold at a January auction for $1.045 million. But, according to Christie’s, that same table was “only” worth about $125,000 five years ago.

Calendar

May 17 and 18--The second black memorabilia show and sale is scheduled at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Included will be a variety of antique toys, dolls and advertising collectibles. Admission is $3. For further information, call (213) 936-1719.