There are brand names that prompt immediate recognition. Some brands, like Kleenex, are so ubiquitous that the brand name has replaced the actual name of the item, in this case “facial tissues.” Others, which were known names representing quality and style for a period of time, fade from memory, like Pontiac cars and Pan Am World Airways. This week’s fresh to market vintage has a famous name that might be on the endangered list, Betty Crocker.
Raise your hand if you grew up with a Betty Crocker cookbook. Now raise your hand if you still have and use a Betty Crocker cookbook. Now, raise your third hand if you have kids living on their own and they have a Betty Crocker cookbook. Our point here is that as our lives have become more digital, our reliance on cookbooks has lessened. It’s much easier to do an online search and read the reviews and tips for recipes than it is to pull out a pile of cookbooks and use the indexes to find recipes. Which brings us to the question: Will Betty still be around in another 10 years?
As pointed out in this Smithsonian Magazine post, “Betty Crocker’s branding in the supermarket [on packaged mixes] is all about convenience and ease, the retro stylings of her newest cookbooks are a reminder that her brand is also a nostalgic one.” Products that cater to nostalgia have a somewhat limited audience, i.e. those who remember the product enough to be nostalgic for it. We’re sure her mixes will endure, but will her cookbooks?
Fear not Betty lovers, vintage Betty cookbooks still abound and prices are reasonable. As it turns out, the one in this week’s fresh to market vintage is both seasonal and such a deal. Of course, if Betty isn’t your jam, we have some other lovelies to tempt you.
Polka Dot Pixies
These are versatile pixies or elves in that they are happy to lay about for Christmas or any day in fact. Larger size with great appeal and million dollar smiles. It appears that several companies made these figurines, our set is just marked Japan. Just check out those ears!
Pixies, $125.00
-Mary Ellen, AuntHattiesAttic
Mid Century Orange Beaded Necklace
This necklace has a bit of everything mid century. The beads are textured, there are rhinestones with aurora borealis coating on one side, and gold metal filigree beads. The length is long enough to wear in multiple ways. The orange color is striking for its bold statement. Everything you want in a mid century necklace all rolled into one.
Mid Century Orange Beaded Necklace, $27.95
-Pam, Vintage Renude
Antique OOAK Walnut Foot Stool c 1900s
Offering a folk art foot stool dating to the turn of the 20th century that is looking for a new home. Made of walnut, it measures 19″ long, 9″ wide & 9″ tall. Very sturdy despite a few dings and an old repair to one leg which is a sure sign someone cared about it.
Recently recovered in a grey & white contemporary print that provides a nice contrast to the ornately carved wood.
Folk Art Carved Walnut Stool, $125
-Linda, Selective Salvage
1984 Betty Crocker’s Christmas Cookbook
There are those who say Betty Crocker is not a real person and is but the creation of a marketing department. To those people I say: would the world have this much love for an imaginary character? She is as imaginary as the Velveteen Rabbit or Harry Potter and that is a hill upon which I am willing to die. For this week’s fresh to market vintage, I’m serving up Betty Crocker’s Christmas Cookbook. It is marked as a remainder on the book block, so it was probably one of those “such a deal” purchases that never got used.
Betty’s recipes are always thoroughly tested, simple and made with ingredients from most normal kitchens. No dried yak’s milk or odd spice that costs a fortune and isn’t all that useful. This is a great gift for someone starting their cookbook library, for someone who isn’t a confident cook or for someone who would not only beat Bobby Flay but would leave him behind as a smoldering ruin.
Betty Crocker’s Christmas Cookbook, 1984 Hardcover, $12.
–Laurie, NextStage Vintage
That’s this week’s fresh to market vintage line up. Is it morally wrong to say those elves exude a “come hither” attitude? That foot stool would be just the thing to treat your tired tootsies to a stylish rest. And don’t get us started on that orange MCM necklace, we would wear it every day and we might even love it so much we’d wear it to bed.
We’d love it if you’d subscribe to our blog. It’s easy to do. And we’re easy on your email inbox. One email a week with all our posts so you’re never left behind by breaking vintage news.
Speaking of our posts, you might like our post on fictional cooks representing food brands. Of course Betty is included.
