Menus for Entertaining — James Beard, Delacorte 1965

📖 James Beard’s Menus For Entertaining by James Beard (1965, Delacorte Press) — a landmark mid-century culinary manual presenting over 600 complete recipes arranged into more than 100 fully planned menus. This copy is a stated Book Club Edition hardcover in the original dust jacket, in Very Good condition with full report below.

QUICK FACTS

• Author: James Beard (1903–1985)
• Publisher: Delacorte Press, New York
• Year: 1965 (Book Club Edition, printer’s code 2752)
• Format: Hardcover in dust jacket (forest green cloth, gilt lettering & monogram)
• Pages: 398 pages + Index | ISBN: None (pre-ISBN era)
• Book Design: Barbara Luttringhaus
• Condition: Very Good / Good+ jacket (full report below)

THE STORY

Published at the pinnacle of his culinary career, Menus For Entertaining embodies James Beard’s philosophy that hospitality requires imaginative planning paired with theatrical flair. Unlike standard recipe compendiums, the volume structures over 600 dishes into coherent dining experiences—ranging from casual terrace barbecues, champagne picnics, and ladies’ luncheons to elaborate formal multi-course dinners. Each menu provides logistical advice on advance preparation, serving logistics, and beverage pairings, demystifying the art of gracious hosting for home cooks.

THIS EDITION

Issued by Delacorte Press in 1965, this Book Club Edition features forest green cloth binding with bright gilt spine titling and Beard’s stamped “JB” monogram on the front board. The jacket retains the stated “BOOK CLUB EDITION” identifier on the front flap and printer’s code “2752” on the lower rear flap. The volume is printed on durable cream stock and includes Beard’s extensive guides to wines, apéritifs, and liqueurs in the appendix.

COVER ART / ILLUSTRATIONS / DESIGN

The dust jacket showcases a full-color photograph of a tuxedoed James Beard at the dining table, carving a centerpiece roast against a stately dining room background with an ornate fruit centerpiece. Inside, the book features vivid full-color glossy photographic plates depicting Beard preparing meals and entertaining guests. Designed by Barbara Luttringhaus, each menu heading is framed within decorative gold-inked scalloped borders, and recipes are arranged in clean, legible columns.

WHY IT MATTERS

• A foundational title in mid-century American culinary literature by the “Dean of American Cookery.”
• Features over 100 complete curated menus, offering an authentic window into 1960s gourmet dining culture and entertaining etiquette.
• Includes comprehensive appendices covering basic culinary techniques, wine service, apéritifs, and dessert liqueurs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What edition is this? This is the 1965 Delacorte Press Book Club Edition, confirmed by the stated Book Club Edition slug on the front inner flap and the 2752 printer code on the rear flap.

What condition is it in? The book is in Very Good condition with tight binding and clean interior pages, while the original jacket is Good+ with light edge chipping and shelf-wear; full report below.

Are there illustrations included? Yes, the volume includes full-color glossy photographic plates of James Beard hosting and cooking, along with elegant graphic book design by Barbara Luttringhaus.

FOR COLLECTORS

An essential addition to any serious gastronomy library or mid-century cookbook collection, preserved with its striking photographic jacket and clean interior pages free of kitchen splatters.

Book Details

• Author: James Beard
• Illustrator: Barbara Luttringhaus (Book Design); features full-color photographic plates
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Binding: HARDCOVER
• Edition Points: Book Club Edition, stated “BOOK CLUB EDITION” on front inner flap with printer’s code “2752” on rear inner flap; copyright 1965 by James Beard.

Condition Report

• Overall Grade: Book: Very Good (VG)/Very Good+ (VG+) // Jacket: Good+ (G+)
• Cover & Spine: Forest green cloth-bound boards are clean, vibrant, and square with bright, crisp gilt spine lettering and a sharp gilt “JB” monogram stamped on the upper board. Minor bumping to spine edges. Board corners crisp with a bit of wear at very tips.
• Dust Jacket: Original jacket present and unclipped (issued without price as typical for BCE). Shows shelf-wear with chipping and small closed tears along the upper and lower edges and spine ends with some small losses, creasing at extremities, and mild surface scuffing to dark panels; interior flaps are lightly age-toned.
• Text Block & Pages: Text block edges are lightly age-toned. Interior pages are clean, crisp, and off-white/cream, free of marginalia, foxing, or kitchen stains. Photographic color plates remain vivid. No loose or torn pages, one page upper corner tip folded inadvertently.
• Binding: Square, firm, and tight; hinges are intact and solid.

See accompanying images for full condition details. Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

HFB-SEO-v1: 2026-10-14

Shelf: B1-5

1 in stock