4 Volumes of The Frugal Gourmet starring Jeff Smith (Lot of 4 Hardcover Cookbooks)

•    Author:                            Jeffery L. Smith (1939-2004)

•    Culinary Assistant Author:                    Craig Wollam (’90, ‘91 & ’92 book) 

•    Illustrator:                       Gary Jacobsen (’84 book); Chris Cart (’90 & ’92 book) 

•    Photographer:                Louis B. Wallach, Inc. (’91 book)

•    Woodcuts:                      David Frampton (’91 book)

•    Book Design:                 Ginger Legato (’84 book); Richard Oriolo (’90, ‘91 & ‘92 book)

•    Jacket Design:                 Cheryl Asherman (’84 book); Andrew M. Newman (’91 & ’92 book)

•    Publisher:            William Marrow and Company, Inc.    New York, NY    U.S.A    1984, 1990, 1991, & 1992  

Jeffery L. Smith (1939-2004) was a chef remembered as the author of several cookbooks and as the host of The Frugal Gourmet, a popular American Cooking show.  The show began in Tacoma Washington as Cooking Fish Creatively on local PBS station KTPS, where it aired from 1973 to 1977 and was then renamed The Frugal Gourmet.  The program moved to WTTW in Chicago, and finally to KQED in San Francisco; and  under Natan Katzman’s A La Carte Communications, where it aired nationally from 1984 to 1997.  From 1972 to 1983, Smith was the owner and operator of the Chaplain’s Pantry Restaurant and Gourmet Shop, a deli and kitchen supply store in Tacoma where Smith and his students offered cooking classes to the public. 

Over the course of his career, Smith published eleven Frugal Gourmet cookbooks.  For sale are The Frugal Gourmet (1984), The Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrant Ancestors (1990), The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas (1991) and, The Frugal Gourmet Whole Family Cookbook (1992).

Individual volume descriptions:

-           The Frugal Gourmet, ISBN: 0-688-03118-8, Copyright 1984.  No edition/print-run info stated.  Dividend Edition assumed, no MSR nor LCCN.  In Smith’s words, frugal does not mean cheap.  It means to best utilize all your resources – time, equipment and ingredients.  Planning, processing, maintenance, and equipment issues as well as recipes & techniques are covered.  xii + 388pp.   Opens as new.  Interior is tight, clean and unmarked.  Hardcover has white paper boards, tan cloth spine with brown lettering on spine in a Near Fine (As New) DJ.  Tear at foot of spine in both jacket and book, stabilized with clear tape. 

-           The Frugal Gourmet on Our Immigrant Ancestors, ISBN: 0-688-07590-8, Copyright 1990.  Stated First Edition with full print line.  No LCCN nor MSR.  Recipes from 35 ethnic culinary styles.  539pp + 4pp ads.   Hardcover has white paper boards, turquoise cloth spine with silver lettering on spine, but no DJ.  Interior tight, clean and unmarked, but some pages folded in storage.  Very Good. 

-           The Frugal Gourmet Celebrates Christmas, ISBN: 0-688-09128-8, Copyright 1991.  Stated First Edition with full print line.  LCCN: 91-29768.  MSR = US $25.00.  Jeff leads us through a history of Christmas, focusing on traditions and love, theology and myth, from Advent preparations to a thoughtful meditation on everyone who played a part at the manger scene.  Of course, there is a recipe for each one of them.  This book is unique in that it is illustrated with modern woodcuts and color photographs.  xxii + 298pp.   This title is larger than the other three books.  Hardcover has red leather designed boards with gold lettering on spine in a Very Good DJ.  Jacket has closed tears at head and foot of spine stabilized with tape.  Interior is tight and unmarked but has been wet p11 and a few recipes show stains from use during preparations.  Very Good Plus. 

-           The Frugal Gourmet Whole Family Cookbook, ISBN: 0-688-06934-7.  LCCN: 92-8582.  MSR = US $22.00.  Stated First Edition with full print line.  Recipes and Reflections for Contemporary Living.  These are recipes designed for the way people cook now, and the way we will be cooking into the 21^st century.  The book reflects the important changes taking place in the American family so cooking and eating retain their rightful place - in your kitchen.  393pp + 4pp ads.   Ex-public library hardcover, has usual stamps and pastings.  Hardcover has white paper boards with silver lettering on turquoise cloth spine in Brodart protected DJ.  Jacket condition is only Good because of library stickers pasted to it.  Ink stamps on page edges marked through with permanent ink markers or other ink stamps.   Interior has ffep cut out and ink stamps in front and back pages.  Otherwise, interior is tight, clean, and unmarked.  Good Condition. 

3 0f the 4 hardcovers have DJs.   3 0f the 4 hardcovers are true 1^st editions.   3 0f the 4 hardcovers show no ownership markings and were always privately owned.   3 0f the 4 hardcovers are 8vo (over 7¾ - 9¾" tall), the other 4to (over 9¾ - 12" tall).   Always a different title is “the odd one out.”  Worst condition is Good. 

•    Size:  Varies - over 7¾ - 12" tall,      1,570pp.

•    Condition:  Good to Near Fine (As New) Hardcovers  –  Each of the four has positive collector attributes.  Issued in connection with the long running PBS television show The Frugal Gourmet. 

Copyrights 1984, 1990, 1991, & 1992.  Made in U.S.A.   Details listed above for each volume. 

Notes on Condition/Edition ratings:

Fine – means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't “brand new” or even “new.”  Booksellers needed some word to describe this...

Like New – A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. 

Good – How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as “standard.” This is the most likely condition for books of this age & title, shows the book has been read or previously owned.  

 Acceptable – How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.)

Poor – Combination of “acceptable” factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask).

Near – Means “almost” in an optimistic sense. e.g., “Near Fine” means very good, but on the high end.

1st Thus – Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy.