Overview
This is a 1994 4th printing of Charles 'Chuck' A. Bellissino's self-published culinary reference work, featuring an author inscription dated April 24, 1994.
Identification
Signed Copy of 'The Encyclopedia of Sauces for Your Pasta' by Charles A. Bellissino (4th Printing, 1994)
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Story
Self-published by Charles 'Chuck' A. Bellissino under the Marcus Kimberly Publishing Company imprint in Sacramento, California. The fact that this reached a 4th printing in 1994 indicates a successful local or regional run. The inclusion of the author's inscription and the publisher's business card offers a charming, personalized glimpse into 1990s independent publishing.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
Value for working cookbooks is heavily dependent on the interior pages remaining free of kitchen stains, moisture warping, and marginalia. The binding must remain tight, and the affixed business card and signature should be crisp and unsmudged to realize the higher end of the estimate.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The secondary market for late-20th-century, self-published culinary reference books is narrow but steady, driven primarily by dedicated cookbook collectors and culinary historians. Inventory tends to move slowly, requiring long-tail listing strategies on specialized book platforms or eBay. While signed copies with ephemera appeal to completionists, prices remain modest due to the obscure, regional nature of the publication.
Value Drivers
▲ Author's signature dated 1994 elevates the copy above standard reading copies
▲ Original publisher's business card affixed adds unique ephemera interest
▲ Niche culinary subject matter retains a dedicated collecting base
Concerns
▼ Unverified interior condition — kitchen wear, stains, or warped pages would drop the value back to the $5-$8 reading-copy floor
▼ Long-tail market demand means the item may sit unsold for months at the high-end retail price
Best Venue
List on eBay or a dedicated bookseller platform with a Buy It Now price of $20 to $25, prominently featuring 'Signed' and 'Publisher Ephemera' in the listing title. Be prepared to accept offers above $12 to ensure liquidity, as this is a slow-moving, long-tail item.
Upside Potential
If the book is in pristine, unread condition, a specialized culinary collector might pay slightly above the $25 mark, but significant upside is capped by the book's broad availability and niche appeal.