Preliminary identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
This pair of vintage cookbooks includes 'The New Vegetarian Cookbook' by Roz Denny (1995) and 'The Best-Ever Vegetarian Cookbook' edited by Linda Fraser (1998/2007 reprint). Published by London's Anness Publishing under their Hermes House imprint, these volumes represent the golden era of step-by-step photographic culinary guides.
Story
In 1995, London publishers realized home cooks wanted more than text; they wanted visual proof. These books pioneered highly accessible, step-by-step food photography that helped demystify meat-free cooking for a generation.
Maker / Origin
Anness Publishing, founded in 1988 by Joanna Lorenz and Paul Anness, became one of the world's largest independent illustrated book publishers. Their Hermes House imprint specialized in high-quality, practical, and heavily photographed lifestyle and cookery books designed to make complex techniques accessible to the everyday home cook.
Condition & Value
Both books show light shelf wear on the covers, with a small tear visible on the top edge of the yellow dust jacket/cover. The internal pages appear clean, bright, and free of major kitchen splatters. Good vintage condition overall. These are mass-market cookbooks from the late 20th century.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.