Folger's Coffee and Mrs. Olson

Mrs. Olson's Get-Together Recipes (1973, 65 pages) was a free advertising cookbook that was given away with the purchase of a 3-lb. can of Folger's coffee.

Mrs. Olson was the well-known spokesperson for the Folger's Coffee brand. The ficticious character was created when Procter & Gamble purchased the Folgers Coffee Company in 1963. Actress Virginia Christine played the part of Mrs. Olson in the television commericals and other Folger's advertisements. The Mrs. Olson advertising campaign ran from 1963 until 1985. Virginia Christine died in 1996 at the age of 76.

The recipes in this softcover booklet are from the Better Homes and Gardens Test Kitchens and will feel familiar for anyone who has used other cookbooks and recipes published by the Meredith Corporation.

There are a variety of 'family-style' recipes that range from Beverages and Breads for a Kaffee Klatch to Main Dishes and Casseroles to Desserts. Out of the total 186 recipes found in this booklet, only 15 of them actually use Folger's Coffee as an ingredient. Those 15 recipes are in the Beverages and Desserts categories.

The booklet is illustrated with many color photographs. The food styling shows many examples of dinnerware and servingware that was popular during the 1970's. There are two large photos of Mrs. Olson -- one on the front cover and another inside along with her introductory letter.