JOY HISTORY

Irma Rombauer first published 3,000 copies of The Joy of Cooking in 1931, for an initial investment of $3,000. Her casual and familiar prose put the reader at ease, earning the love and loyalty from Depression-era women who were having to take the place of professional cooks they could no longer afford. The tone and approach to cooking was joyful and quite a departure from the home keeping and cookery books of the day, most of which were written by home economists.

Marion Rombauer, Irma's daughter, designed and illustrated the book in addition to testing recipes. Her recollection of printing the first edition, the "Little Joy" as they called it in later years, are as follows:
"How naïve and straightforward was our approach to publishing! We simply called in a printer. I remember the Saturday morning she arrived, laden with washable cover fabrics, type and paper samples. In a few hours all decisions were made, and shortly afterwards we signed a contract for 3,000 copies complete with mailing cartons and individualized stickers. Then came the new experience of galleys, proofreading and preparing an index." Modern woman is faced with tasks almost as diversified as St. Martha's, and cooking is not the least of the problems she must meet with intelligence and understanding.
In this book every effort has been made to add variety and interest to everyday fare, as well as to provide dishes for special occasions. The hundreds of tested recipes given are both old and new. The old ones have withstood the test of timethe new ones have been added through careful selection. Experienced cooks in search of novel recipes and ideas will find many to interest them. Inexperienced cooks cannot fail to make successful soufflés, pies, cakes, soups, gravies, etc., if they follow the clear instructions given on these subjects. The Zeitgeist is reflected in the Chapter on Leftovers and in many other practical suggestions.

The cover of the book may be cleaned with a moist cloth. $3.00
Luckily for JOY collectors, a facsimile of the 1931 edition was printed in 1997.

TESTIMONIALS AND CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

Mrs. Rombauer successfully imparts the feeling that cooking never is nor should be a dull task.  A thoroughly practical cookbook, well indexed and including old and honored recipes as well as the newest fads and fancies. ---Marguerite Martyn, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Inexperienced cooks find it a splendid teacher. ---Mrs. W. H. Dempsey, Alton, Illinois

I have yet to find any as practical from every standpoint as The Joy of Cooking.  It is reliable, contains unusual and original dishes and menus, and best of all, its outstanding virtue is economy. ---Rita Ross, Household Club Program, KSD Broadcasting Station

I take the book to bed with me because it is such fun to plan for the next day and be entertained at the same time. ---Jean Wagoner, Indianapolis, Indiana

Women in business with little time to give to the all-important kitchen will find this complete cookbook most satisfactory. ---Laura Stith Corbitt, St. Louis, Missouri

The fact that it was written with one eye on the pocket-book and one on the bathroom scales will appeal to all young and old housekeepers. ---Louis K. Adam, Chicago, Illinois

COLLECTOR'S VALUES: $500-$5,000
Please read about cookbook collecting in the Kitchen Table Forums to learn more.

Luckily for JOY fans and collectors, a facsimile of the 1931 edition was printed in 1998. This is a perfect copy of the first edition and reveals why the Joy of Cooking has become a legacy of learning and pleasure for generations of users.
The Foreword by Irma s son, Edgar Rombauer, is full of information about the writing of the little book (as it was often referred to by the family), and Irma's quest to find a publisher.

COLLECTOR'S VALUES: Available new. Not a collector's item.