How to Sell Cookbooks – Old, Rare, Used, Vintage & Antique Betty Crocker, BH&G & Others
You may be one of those people who have collected cookbooks over the years that ended up, used or unused, gathering dust on bookshelves or in boxes piled up in the attic, garage or basement. Old, rare, classic, vintage, antique and collectible cookbooks can be a hidden source of instant cash. You can easily learn how to sell these old cookbooks.
And many people underestimate the value that these old, collectible cookbooks have, for example Betty Crocker Cookbooks and Better Homes & Gardens Cookbooks, and have never even thought about selling them. There are many other old, valuable cookbooks of course. But for the purpose of this article we’ll start with these two well known cookbook publishers’ cookbooks. They’ll be easier to research.
Do you have any old Better Homes and Gardens Cook Books? How about Betty Crocker Cook Books from the 1950s, 1960s, or popular editions from 1959, 1961 or older? Pie or plaid covers? Betty Crocker New Picture Cookbook or Betty Crocker Boys and Girls Cook Books or any others?
Maybe you do have some of these cookbooks now. Maybe you have some at mom’s or grandma’s house or even better at great-grandma’s house. Perhaps you’ve seen them at garage sales. A lot of old cookbooks can be valuable — worth a lot of money. Even those of lesser value may sell for ten times the original price.
Whether you have cook books with binders, hardcovers, plaid covers, or pie covers, you need to do a little research. You’ll need to know the title, year of publication, edition (usually printed inside the book in front) and condition, before you can come up with the TRUE value.
You can start by gathering as much of these facts as possible. If any of your old books have been signed by the author or in some cases the illustrator, that’ll bring up the price significantly. Then, first of all, go to Google and type in the exact title – for example, ‘Betty Crocker Cookbook’ and the year published, and see what comes up. Then try using the same phrase with cook book as two words. If you have a plaid or pie cover or other distinct cover, then try again adding ‘plaid cover’ or ‘pie cover’. Do it again and type in the edition if known. You may find some others for sale or that have already sold. Then try again with your variations and add the words – excellent condition, fine condition or good condition.
Next go to eBay and go to the search feature and then ‘completed listings’. Search by the category ‘cookbooks’ and the title of your cookbook and look for similar titles and editions. Only look at those that have sold, to get a feel for the price range. In terms of pricing, ignore the cookbooks that are still for sale. Many factors go into why they didn’t sell. Finding sold copies in these cookbook listings will give you a general idea of the range they’ve sold in. The binding, year and condition are just some of the variable factors. You can do the same with your Better Homes & Gardens Cookbooks. Then try some of the other old, rare, vintage or antique cookbooks that you’ve collected.
The deciding factor for price in every case will be the condition of the cookbook. Condition is everything. Handle your cookbooks carefully. Collectors and buyers expect cookbooks to have an occasional spot on them. If they’re fragile, handle them with white cotton gloves. Never put them in airtight bags or containers, because the moisture content in the pages will cause them to mildew. You can bag them but leave them open. In any case protect them.
So you need to decide on the condition of your cookbooks, find the price range of cookbooks that have sold on completed listings and then decide how to price your book. Be very wary of putting any old, rare, vintage or antique cookbooks on eBay for 99 cents or without a reserve price. You don’t want someone walking off with your precious book for just pennies. The sold cookbooks on eBay completed listings have a distinct advantage. You know what people are actually paying for cookbooks and current price ranges.
As for books that list the value of cookbooks, I have them all. But I find them worthless because the values do not reflect what people actually pay for cookbooks or the current prices, whether it is Betty Crocker Cookbooks, Better Home & Gardens Cookbooks or any others. And the cookbook value books go rapidly out of date as time passes since publication.
Besides eBay there are a lot of other ways to sell your cookbooks on the Internet or outside of the Internet. There is too much to go into in this short article. There are many other trade secrets. One easy way — there is a free cookbook listing service online, for old, rare, vintage or antique cookbooks where you can list your cookbooks for sale, yes free of charge. Collectors and buyers come to the site. You can continue to sell them using other methods and not wait for a buyer to make contact from the site. You can always have your listing removed from the site if it sells or you sell it another way.
You can buy and sell old cookbooks easily once you become familiar with one cookbook and you’ll probably be able to find more of them at garage sales. With this basic knowledge of how to sell cookbooks, you’ve just become a mini-expert on selling cookbooks. So go to your cookbook shelves now and see what you already have and start from there. Once you’re an expert on Betty Crocker Cookbooks and Better Homes and Gardens Cookbooks you can start researching other old, rare, classic, vintage, antique and collectible cookbooks.
Helen Hecker
View all articles by Helen Hecker
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ROUSH RACING JOHNNY BENSON BETTY CROCKER 98 CREW SUIT $3,000.00 |
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BETTY CROCKER ORIGINAL WATER COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS ~ WOW $1,499.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbooks Special Edition Box Set 1969 Bantam SCARCE TITLE RARE $1,000.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook – Illustrated cookbook/recipe $250.00 |
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Oneida Betty Crocker Stainless ANTHEM 26pcs6PlSets MINT $215.99 |
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1950 Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook 1st Edition 5-Ring Binder Tabbed Sections $199.99 |
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The big red cookbook from Betty Crocker hc new edition $200.00 |
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Betty Crockers Picture Cookbook 1ST Edition, Betty Crocker, Good, Stated first e $200.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book – 1st/1st – First Edition – 1950 – Illustrated $193.49 |
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Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook First Edition 1950 $158.39 |
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Crocker, BETTY CROCKER’S COOKBOOK FOR BOYS & GIRLS 1st $150.00 |
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1964 Vintage Easy Bake Oven Kenner #1600 Box & Accessories BEFORE BETTY CROCKER! $149.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook First Edition 1950 $143.99 |
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VTG 5 Ring Binder Red Pie Chart Cover 22nd Printing 1974 Betty Crockers Cookbook $139.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook First Edition 1950 $134.99 |
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NEW – Sam’s Betty Crocker Bridal Assortment $133.59 |
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NEW – Sam’s Betty Crocker Bridal Assortment $133.59 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook, 5 ring,1972,pie chart,Hc#2829 $125.45 |
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BETTY CROCKER (Marjorie Child) Coll. SENIOR Yearbook $129.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook. 5-ring binder. 1969 Great $125.00 |
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NEW, Betty Crocker Convection Oven/ Accessorie Model BC- 1682 $99.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book by – $120.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook by Betty Crocker $122.39 |
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Oneida Betty Crocker Stainless SPENCER 24pcs4PlSet MINT $116.99 |
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Vintage and Newer Betty Crocker Cookbooks LOT of 22 $99.95 |
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COOKBOOK BETTY CROCKER’S RED PIE COVER 2ND PRINTING 1970 HARDCOVER CLEAN VINTAGE $99.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s Pie and Pastry Cookbook First edition $100.00 |
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Oneida Oneidaware Betty Crocker ANTHEM 23pc Lot Good Used Condition USA HTF $99.00 |
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VINTAGE BETTY CROCKERS PICTURE COOKBOOK 1950 FIRST EDITION, FIFTH PRINT, 5 RING $99.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s New Picture Cookbook $99.99 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S COOKBOOK~5 ring~pie cover~red~1974 $99.99 |
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Betty Crocker Pineapple Upside Down Cake Mix, 21.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12) $102.36 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S COOK BOOK 1,600 RECIPE #9800 RED PIE 1969 1ST PRINTING TE BINDER $89.99 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S PICTURE COOK BOOK 1st Ed/ 1st P 1950 HC General Mills Publisher $100.00 |
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BETTY CROCKER COOKIE DOUGH MIX ONE PACKET SNICKERDOODLE MOLASSES SUGAR CHOCOLATE $100.00 |
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2 PACKETS BETTY CROCKER COOKIE DOUGH MIX SNICKERDOODLE MOLASSES SUGAR CHOCOLATE $100.00 |
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2 PACKETS BETTY CROCKER COOKIE DOUGH MIX SNICKERDOODLE MOLASSES SUGAR CHOCOLATE $100.00 |
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Lot Vintage Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book 1950 1st Edition/Printing $99.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook by Betty Crocker $99.95 |
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Betty Crocker’s New Picture Cook Book, 1961,1st ed#2820 $95.45 |
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From Betty Crocker to Feminist Food Studies (2005, Hardcover) $99.68 |
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Vintage Aladdin Pop Art Lunch Box Metal General Mills Betty Crocker deco modern $87.00 |
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Crocker, Betty BETTY CROCKER’S COOKBOOK FOR BOYS & GIRLS 1965 1st First Edition $95.00 |
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Crocker Betty BETTY CROCKER’S COOKING CALENDAR Crockers $95.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook, New and Revised Edition, 1979, 5 Ring, Second Pri#3960 $90.45 |
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BETTY CROCKERS PICTURE COOK BOOK FIRST EDITION (FIFTH PRINTING) $95.00 |
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Oneida Oneidaware Betty Crocker ANTHEM 9 Servers Good Used Condition USA HTF $90.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook Pie Cover 5 Ring $89.99 |
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Citation Betty Crocker Country Inn Collection Set of 4 Canisters $68.77 |
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Vintage Mirro Pressure Cooker M-0536 Betty Crocker Instructions Box 1.5 Gal 6 qt $74.99 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S PICTURE COOK BOOK 2,000 RECIPES CROCKERS 1956~472 PAGE technique $79.99 |
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vtg 1977 BETTY CROCKER Pie Chart Cookbook 30th Printing Complete 1969 Copyright $89.00 |
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Crocker’s, Betty Picture Cook Book $85.00 |
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Crocker BETTY CROCKERS NEW DINNER FOR TWO COOKBOOK 1st $85.00 |
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Betty Crockers Easy Oven Meals by Betty Crocker $88.12 |
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Petty #43 Cheerios Helping Hands Betty Crocker shirt $80.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s New Picture Cook Book – 1961 6th printing HC cookbook $85.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s New Cookbook by Betty Crocker Editors (1998, Hardcover) $81.96 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook, 1977, Ring, Pie Chart,Hc#2830 $80.45 |
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Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book 1950 First Edition $85.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s Hostess Cookbook by Betty Crocker Editors $81.55 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook 5 Ring Binder Red Pie Golden Press Like New Mint $74.99 |
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Betty Crocker’s RED PIE COVER HB COOKBOOK 1969 1974 22nd Printing Very Good Cond $75.00 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S New Picture Cookbook 1961 1st EDITION/1st PRINTING~EXCELLENT $75.00 |
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Crocker, Betty BETTY CROCKER’S COOKBOOK $75.00 |
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VINTAGE BETTY CROCKER’S PIE COVER COOK BOOK FIRST PRINTING 1969 FIRST EDITION $74.99 |
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Betty Crocker Cookbook Pie Cover 1969/1976 Excellent Condition Mint $74.99 |
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Vintage – Betty Crocker’s Cookbook New and Revised Edition $75.00 |
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Crocker, Betty BETTY CROCKER’S GOOD AND EASY COOKBOOK Crocker 1st 2nd Print $75.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s Barbecue Cookbook Betty Crocker’s Deluxe Specialty Cookbooks Se $77.65 |
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85 PC SET OF ONEIDA PATRICK HENRY BETTY CROCKER STAINLESS STEEL FLATWARE $64.00 |
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Betty Crocker Cookie Mix, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, 17.5-Ounce Pouches Pack of 12 $76.86 |
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Betty Crocker’s Cookbook 1969 pie chart first printing dna $75.00 |
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VINTAGE BETTY CROCKER’S PICTURE COOK BOOK 1st Edition 6th Printing 5 Ring Binder $74.95 |
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Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook New & Revised 1978 Cook Book Crocker $69.99 |
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Betty Crocker PICTURE COOKBOOK 1950 1st Ed 3rd Print VG $69.99 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S COOKBOOK HB 1971 RED PIE” 5 RING COOK BOOK $69.99 |
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VINTAGE BETTY CROCKER 5 RING BINDER COOKBOOK PIE CHART COVER EXCELLENT CONDITION $72.95 |
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Vintage 1950 Betty Crocker’s Picture Cook Book First 1st Edition~Ex Cond~3 Ring $68.00 |
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Vintage BETTY CROCKER’s PICTURE COOK BOOK COOKBOOK 1950 HC 1st Edition 6th print $67.77 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S COOK BOOK 1978,1969,1983-10th PRINTING CROCKERS # 9823- RECIPES+ $59.99 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S COOKBOOK RED PIE 1969,1970 ~6th PRINTING RECIPES CROCKERS # 9822 $59.99 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S COOK BOOK 1978,1969 o/CLEAN CROCKERS 1,500 RECIPE 9823 SPIRAL HC $59.99 |
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Oneida Community Betty Crocker Older Satinique Stainless Steel Flatware LOT 29 $69.99 |
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Betty Crocker Cookbook Red Binder Pie Cover 1st Edition 1969 $69.95 |
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Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper Hand Adult Costume $59.99 |
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BETTY CROCKER’S Picture Cook Book – 5-Ring Binder Hardcover 1956 Original $65.65 |
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Betty Crocker Potatoes, Roasted Garlic & Herb, 4.5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12) $69.57 |
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Betty Crocker’s NEW BOYS AND GIRLS COOKBOOK, HC 1st/1st thus 1965 $69.50 |
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37 PC SET OF ONEIDA SPRING ROSE BETTY CROCKER STAINLESS STEEL FLATWARE $56.03 |
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Vintage Betty Crockers RED PIE Cookbook 1973 20th Hard Cover $69.00 |
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Betty Crocker Cookbook (1970), Very Good Books $68.98 |
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Vintage Betty Crocker’s New Good and Easy Cookbook 1st Edition 1962 $64.95 |
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1969 1970 Betty Crocker’s Cookbook Library 6 Booklets Golden Press Cut-Up Cake++ $65.00 |
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Betty Crocker 14 Magazine Lot Cookie /Grilling/Easy/Baking $65.00 |
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Betty Crocker’s New Cookbook Hardcover, ring bound 8th Edition Very Good! $65.00 |
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Betty Crocker Helper Complete Meals, Chicken and Buttermilk Biscuits, 24.8oz Box $67.23 |
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Betty Crocker Helper Complete Meals, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, 23.2oz Boxes (P $67.23 |
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2007 BOBBY LABONTE #43 CHEERIOS BETTY CROCKER 1/24 SIGNED action diecast car $54.99 |
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Wilton 2104-6667 12 Piece Cupcake Decorating Set $4.57 Create all kinds of fun cupcake designs perfect for celebrations or everyday treats! Includes star tips 1M (rosettes, stars, and drop flowers), star tip 22 (zigzags, pull-out stars), round tip 12 (outlines, dots, messages), and Bismarck tip 230 for exciting filled cupcakes, plus 8 disposable bags, and an instruction booklet. 12 pieces total! Made in USA/Imported…. |
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Sunbeam 5891 2-Pound Programmable Breadmaker, White $86.05 2 LB LOAF13-HOUR DELAY BAKE;12 COOKING FUNCTIONSEXPRESSBAKE BREAD MAKER CYCLE BAKES IN UNDER 1 HOURLED DISPLAYEASY-CLEAN TOUCH CONTROL PANELNON-STICK REMOVABLE BAKING PANINCLUDES INSTRUCTION BOOK WITH BREAD RECIPESUPC : 027045651783Shipping Dimensions : 18.30in X 14.00in X 13.40inEstimated Shipping Weight : 20.6812… |
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Wilton Dessert Decorator Plus $11.05 It’s the easy-to-use tool for beautiful decorated desserts! One hand does it all- elegant shells, stars and leaves, beautiful script messages, pretty bows and flowers. Just press the thumb lever and icing will flow; release lever and icing stops. Changing… |
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Betty Crocker [Explicit] $8.99 … |
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Goes Ape / Betty Crocker Punk Rocker / Monkey $6.98 … |
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Cook’n With Betty Crocker 1100 Recipes & Wine Fundamentals Learn to evaluate and appreciate wine like an expert : CD-Rom CD-ROM… |
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The Circus /A Day’s Pleasure [VHS] $19.98 Made in 1928 while he was in the middle of a painful divorce case, Charlie Chaplin’s The Circus was so associated with bad memories for its maker that he refused even to mention it in his 1964 autobiography. Consequently, it has enjoyed less of a reputation than such films as The Gold Rush (1925) and City Lights (1931). However, while it’s not quite in their league, The Circus undoubtedly deserves… |
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Betty Crocker: Exercise and Lose Weight : Low-Impact Aerobics [VHS] $14.99 … |
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Stomach and Lower Body/Betty Crocker [VHS] $14.99 … |
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