• Vintage yellow cover of 'the 1954 BETTY FURNESS Westinghouse Cook BOOK' with a red outline illlustration of a sauce pan and black text.
  • A handwritten inscription in blue ink inside copy of the 1954 BETTY FURNESS Westinghouse Cook BOOK from Gran Mama to Jan. Alma Edmunds written above.
  • Open copy of title page from 1954 The Betty Furness Westinghouse Cook Book showing a bright orange illustration of kitchen foods and utensils.
  • A vintage handwritten recipe written on notepad from the Carl Henderson's Service Station in Columbus, Georgia and torn pieces of an old Enriched Kitchen Craft Flour advertisement.
  • Vintage Nestle's Scotch Treats magazine or newspaper recipe featuring a tan background with a large photo of golden marshmallow treats, red plaid header, and product text including 'Cooking with Nestle's' and 'Scotch Treats.'.
  • Title and dedication page from the 1954 BETTY FURNESS Westinghouse Cook Book.
  • Recipe page from the 1954 BETTY FURNESS Westinghouse Cook Book with doughnut recipes.
  • Recipe page from the 1954 BETTY FURNESS Westinghouse Cook Book showing illustrated recipes for pastry, including two-crust pie and a no-bake pie, with step-by-step instructions and drawings of hands mixing dough and assembling pie crusts.
  • Back cover from the 1954 BETTY FURNESS Westinghouse Cook Book.
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Simon and Schuster

Vintage 1954 Betty Furness Westinghouse Cook Book - Yellow Cover

Vintage 1954 Betty Furness Westinghouse Cook Book - Yellow Cover

$42.00 USD
$42.00 USD
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AT A GLANCE

Title:
The Betty Furness Westinghouse Cook Book
Publisher:
Simon and Schuster
Author:
Betty Furness and Julia Kiene
Era:
Early–Mid 20th Century (1920 - 1960)
Date:
1954
Origin:
New York, USA
Dimensions:
5 ½" x 6 ¼"
Condition:
Good (G)
Cover:
Hardcover
Pages:
496
OCLC:
1251213
Book genre:
Cookbook
Notes:
Julia Kiene (1890 - 1980) served as the director of the Westinghouse Home Economics Institute from 1938 to 1955.

From One Kitchen to Another: A Cookbook with a Story

A charming piece of mid-century American culinary history, The Betty Furness Westinghouse Cook Book, published in 1954 by Simon and Schuster and prepared under the direction of Julia Kiene, captures the recipes, cooking traditions, and kitchen culture of 1950s America. The dedication page reads, "This book is dedicated to YOU, a busy homemaker who gladly prepares three meals a day for your family, and who delights in doing it." 

This first edition vintage hardcover features the distinctive yellow cover and is in good vintage condition. The cookbook was marketed to have over 1,000 pre-tested, easy-to-follow recipes, thoroughly tested at the famed Westinghouse Home Economics Institute. 

What makes this copy especially appealing is the collection of handwritten recipes, newspaper clippings, and family inscriptions tucked and preserved within its pages—little pieces of everyday history that offer a glimpse into kitchens of generations past, when favorite dishes were discovered in newspapers, magazines, and advertisements, then carefully saved for future use. All four original recipe pieces will remain with the cookbook, preserving their connection to its history.

  • Handwritten Christmas Dessert Recipe: A handwritten, untitled recipe for the widely circulated 1957 Betty Crocker “Mystery Fruitcake,” made from crumbled Honey Spice Cake, candied pineapple and cherries, raisins, dates, nuts, and Betty Crocker Fluffy White Frosting Mix. Written on notepad paper from Carl Henderson’s Service Station in Columbus, Georgia.
  • 1966 Nestlé Scotch Treats Recipe: A vintage magazine-style clipping featuring Scotch Treats made with Rice Krispies. The reverse retains part of a McCormick Gravy Color advertisement.
  • Mrs. Cushing's Peanut Butter Cookies: A clipped newspaper recipe attributed to Mrs. Cushing.
  • Peanut Butter Snacks: A fragile, partially torn newspaper-style recipe advertisement featuring Kitchen Craft Flour and Safeway grocery stores.

Provenance & Historical Notes

Inside the cookbook is a handwritten inscription identifying a previous owner as Alma Edmunds, followed by what appears to be the affectionate family nickname “Mu Dear.” Beneath this is the remaining inscription: “To Jan 5‑11‑1980 – from Gran Mama.” The date, May 11, 1980, was Mother’s Day, suggesting the cookbook may have been passed down as a meaningful Mother’s Day gift and family keepsake. Alma’s name also appears again on the Preface page.

Research into the inscription suggests a possible connection to Alma C. Owens Edmunds (1892–1977) of Columbus, Georgia. An intriguing detail supporting this link is the handwritten holiday recipe found inside the book, written on stationery from Carl Henderson’s Service Station. A Carl W. Henderson is listed among the pallbearers at the 1966 funeral of Alma’s son, Thomas Turner Edmunds, indicating a likely social or community connection between the Edmunds family and the Hendersons.

While not conclusively established, the evidence suggests a plausible and meaningful association between this cookbook and the Edmunds family of Columbus, Georgia — adding depth, locality, and personal history to this copy.

Good vintage condition, with age-appropriate wear including on the back cover. The only writing identified in the cookbook is the previous owner's name and family gift inscription. The loose recipes show varying degrees of age and wear, including one fragile, partially torn newspaper clipping. Review photos carefully.

A Little Culinary History

Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Furness (1916 - 1994) was an American actress who became a familiar face through her television appearances and association with Westinghouse appliances. Although she starred in more than forty films, including Swing Time with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, her name became more closely connected with the modern American kitchen and the growing popularity of convenient home cooking during the postwar years.

Furness was strongly independent minded about her appearance and image, changing her stage outfit three times a day, and refused when asked by Westinghouse to adopt a stage name or wear an apron. Today, her 1954 cookbook cowritten with Julia Kiene, offers a nostalgic look at the recipes, entertaining traditions, and changing kitchen culture of mid-century.

Explore our collection of Vintage Cookbooks ↗ for more cookbooks, culinary pamphlets and recipes.

Just a quick heads‑up: the photos reveal details far better than text alone, so they’re worth a close review.

We share as much accurate information as possible about each item—from provenance to condition—but the images often show the nuances best. If you ever need more details, we’re always happy to help.

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Nostalgic Cookbooks: A Taste of Culinary History

Vintage cookbooks are highly sought after by collectors and home enthusiasts for their nostalgic appeal, unique retro recipes, and distinctive mid-century design. They make striking display pieces in kitchens, cafés, and on open shelving, combining visual charm with culinary history.

These cookbooks preserve the flavors, entertaining traditions, and food culture of their era—from molded salads and casseroles to early convenience food innovations. Unlike modern digital recipes, vintage cookbooks offer a tactile, authentic experience that connects readers to the past. Many feature handwritten notes, personal substitutions, and family cooking tips, making each copy a one-of-a-kind piece of culinary heritage

Collecting vintage cookbooks combines the joy of discovery with practical inspiration for modern cooking and entertaining. Whether hardcover first editions or charming vintage paperbacks, these books add character, warmth, and historical authenticity to any kitchen collection. Out-of-print titles, community-compiled spiral bounds, and promotional recipe pamphlets have become increasingly collectible as recipes migrate online.

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