This kitchen is maintained entirely for service to the women of America... (from the Introduction)

{HISTORY}

The 1930's was an exciting time for home cooks. Refrigeration was making its way into houses, iceboxes were being built into food storage units and more women started transitioning away from the staffed houses their parent's knew,  and began cooking for their families themselves.

There must have been something very fundamentally reassuring when Pillsbury published this Balanced Recipes book in 1933. With its tough aluminum covering and organized recipe inserts, it must have felt solid and steady and straightforward. All that kitchen knowledge and reliability tucked inside a unique metal case. The rows after rows of scrutinized and thoroughly tested recipes. Each meant to deliver optimal nutrition in a time when every ingredient counted and every meal needed to sustain life and spirit. Stylish, with its streamlined Art Deco design yet so accessible and sturdy, this cookbook must have seemed pretty infallible. 

Fast forward almost 90 years later and it still feels helpful, reassuring and right. The presentation of this cookbook is marvelous, innovative, and completely captivating. Its 11 ring binder style allowed room for Pillsbury's 224 recipes while also leaving space  to include custom recipes and notations.  This was a hallmark of 1930's ingenuity when it came to the kitchen and homecooking. Teach to develop confidence yet trust that a desire for individuality will ensue. 

Containing foods for all matters of the day, this cookbook in particular is wonderful for its hand-touched 1930s authenticity in the form of handwritten notes, typewriter recipes and satisfying check marks next to totally approved endeavors. A true gem of a cookbook, both inside and outside.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Aluminum binding

- Over 230 recipes

- Includes custom notes and recipes

- Handwriting

{CONDITION}

In wonderful vintage condition. The metal case itself is lovely. One small ding on front cover and some light scratches and toning due to age. Interior recipes are in great shape, especially considering the fragility of their thin paper nature. Because of the cookbook's age, the pages are a little bit difficult to turn on the rings, but careful handling, a few pages at a time, presents no trouble in flipping through every section of the cookbook. 

{SIZE}

Measures 6.25" inches (width) x 9" inches (length ) x 1.25" inches (thickness) and weighs 1.9lbs

{FOR THE 1930's COLLECTOR}

Looking for more kitchenware from a decade that defined America? Explore more of the 1930s here.