OP: Watermelon
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American Folklife Center, Washington, DC, 1984. Paperback. Near Fine.
Ellen Ficklen is serious about watermelons. So much so that, in addition to writing on the subject, she has the largest collection of “melonabilia”—watermelon-themed objects from around the world—according to her website watermelontimes.com, anyway.
And if there are any detractors reading, let it be known that the Library of Congress published her book on the subject in 1984. Despite its smallish size, a square volume (7” x 7”) at only 64 pages, the book manages to make a quick impact.
After a brief global history on cultivation and consumption, Ficklen introduces us lay folk to the dozens of whimsically named varietals less commonly available in supermarkets, in addition to advice for selecting for ripeness, where and when to attend a watermelon festival, and color images of all sorts of melonabilia.
Roughly half the book, however, is dedicated to recipes—drinks, ham glazes, pickles, baked goods—all inventive ways to incorporate the beloved melon into any/every meal if and when eating it straight off the rind just isn’t enough.
Our copy is Near Fine with minimal shelfwear. Issued in paperback only. Uncommon on the secondary market.
