OP: Corn Products Cook Book

Corn Products Refining Co., ND. Staplebound pamphlet. Very Good.

Unusual for a product advertisement, the Corn Products Cook Book is actually attributed to an author. In this case, a former associate editor at Ladies’ Home Journal, Emma Churchman Hewitt (1850–1921).

Though undated, the pamphlet was likely printed prior to 1910. The Corn Products Refining company was founded in 1902 and built a massive plant in Summit, IL in 1910, after which the corn products were sold under the Argo name. The use of the Kingsford’s corn starch brand name suggests publication before that big expansion.

In addition to Kingsford’s, the refining company is also pushing Mazola oil and Karo corn syrup, so the range of recipes is vast enough to mask the fact that it is an advertisement. Baked goods are here in droves, to be sure, but so are confections and a few savory options like roast beef or omelets.

Attractively illustrated and printed on sturdy stock, at least for this type of pamphlet, ours is a strong Very Good, worn about the edges on the cover but otherwise neat. 4.5” x 6.25”, 46 pages.