“WHAT WILL IT BE, GENTLEMEN?”: THOMAS’ THE BON VIVANT’S COMPANION

THOMAS, Jerry. The Bon Vivant’s Companion or How to Mix Drinks. New York & London: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928. Octavo, original pictorial yellow cloth, uncut.    $1200.

First revised edition, third printing, of this drink manual prepared by the bartender at the Metropolitan Hotel in New York, with 24 half-page illustrations.

Contains 306 of Jerry Thomas’ most famous drink recipes as well as the first publication of Asbury’s flamboyant 31-page introduction. Widely regarded as the best bartender in history, Jerry Thomas, to whom the famous Savoy Cocktail Book was dedicated, was known for his innovative drink creations and for bringing dignity to the bar service industry. The first edition was published in 1862; the 1928 first revised edition omits the instructions for manufacture and distillation of spirits and adds nearly 50 pages of prefatory material. This third printing of the first revised edition was published the same year as the first printing.

Interior generally fine, a few leaves opened roughly, only light soiling to cloth, mild toning to spine. A handsome, near-fine copy.