A Good Copy Of This Cookbook Is Actually Worth A Ton Of Money

Before the likes of Giada De Laurentiis, Lidia Bastianich, and other female cooks on television who show step-by-step demonstrations of delectable dinner and dessert recipes, there was Julia Child. A pioneer for those modern-day personalities, Child was the first woman to host an on-air cooking show, "The French Chef," which introduced audiences to French dishes — like her iconic bœuf bourguignon — in a simple and accessible fashion.

However, prior to becoming a popular figure on TV, Child was an author. In Paris, where she moved because of her husband Paul Child's career, she embraced her longtime passion for food by studying at Le Cordon Bleu. While in France, she befriended cooking teachers Simone Beck and Louisette Bertholle, with this trio uniting in 1961 to publish "Mastering the Art of French Cooking." It was this cookbook that inspired "The French Chef," which premiered on PBS only two years later.

"Mastering the Art of French Cooking" catapulted Child into the spotlight, helping her achieve fame, wealth, and the ability to share her favorite recipes with the world for more than 40 years. Six decades later, if you happen to have a good copy of this fateful cookbook, it could also help you amass some big bucks.

Upon its release in 1961, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" was a hot commodity, selling more than 100,000 copies in one year. Both amateur at-home cooks and professional chefs couldn't get enough of the book, which boasts a whopping 500-plus recipes.

However, not every copy sold that year is worth a ton of money in the present day. Rather, copies of high value are first edition, first printings in good condition that include the signature of Julia Child. In promotion of the book, she embarked on several tours, during which she autographed numerous copies.

A first edition, first printing through AbeBooks, which includes Child's signature and the message of "Merry Christmas," is available for $2,950. Another, which boasts the signatures of both Child and Simone Beck, is going for $10,000. An ultra-rare copy, worth $28,000, features an inscription by Child to two of her close friends, Hadley Richardson (Ernest Hemingway's first wife) and Paul Mowrer. It says on the half-title page, "For Paul and Hadley who were in at the very beginning of this oeuvre — with all my love — Julia / Chocorua — September, 1962."

"Mastering the Art of French Cooking" is still widely printed and available for purchase. For example, through Barnes & Noble, those looking to bring the flavors of France into their homes can snag a hardcover edition for $45 or paperback for $35.

While these new copies certainly help to keep Julia Child's passion for French cuisine alive, there's something extremely special about possessing an original edition of the book that, at some point, she held and signed ... especially since she is no longer with us. Child passed away in 2004, at the age of 91, due to complications of kidney failure.

This isn't unique, as first printings of any book (like this "Harry Potter" book set that's worth a ton of money) that goes on to enjoy massive success tend to increase in value over the years. Additionally, if the individual who autographed it was/is an important public figure, the value will go up even further (speaking of, check out the most valuable autograph ever sold). This is certainly the case for Child, who, in addition to successfully publishing several more cookbooks and hosting a slew of other TV programs, founded in 1995 the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and Culinary Arts.