A TIMELESS CLASSIC: IN PRAISE OF DRUNKENNESS, LOVELY ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THE ORIGINAL 1714 TEXT, BEAUTIFULLY BOUND

SALLENGRES, Albert-Henri. Éloge de l’Ivresse. Illustrations de Jo Merry. Paris: Editions de la Couronne, (1945). Small folio, early full gray close-grain morocco with red, black and green morocco onlays in a pictorial design on front cover, full morocco doublures, patterned fabric endpapers; original printed paper wrappers bound in. Housed in custom matching leather-edged slipcase. $1300.

Deluxe illustrated edition of this classic French text from 1714, In Praise of Drunkenness, with frontispiece etching, 24 full-page illustrations and numerous head- and tailpieces and initials by Jo Merry, printed in color. Number 378 of only 700 copies produced, this copy splendidly bound by Jacques Blanchet with morocco onlays on the front cover depicting a hand squeezing a bunch of grapes.

Sallengres covers the range of arguments for and against drunkenness, while describing the drinking habits of individuals, classes and nations, the failed attempts over the centuries to control inebriation through legislation, and finally the author’s six laws of losing sobriety: not too often, in good company, with good wine, at a reasonable time, without forcing anybody else to drink, and within limits. Text in French.

Fine condition. A lovely illustrated production of this classic text, finely bound.