RICKEYS, DAISIES, SLINGS, SHRUBS, SMASHES, FIZZES, JULEPS

CRADDOCK, Harry. The Savoy Cocktail Book. London: Constable, 1930 (i.e., 1931). Octavo, original half black cloth, Art Deco pictorial boards, pictorial endpapers. $900.

Early printing of this quintessential book of cocktail recipes, issued one year after the first, with lively and colorful Art Deco illustrations by Gilbert Rumbold and bold Art Deco binding.

Compiled by "the king of cocktail shakers," this witty, informative, and eminently useful book on how to make and mix drinks contains humorous anecdotes on the origin of the cocktail and its purpose ("for the solace of man"), as well as "an elucidation of the Manners and Customs of people of quality in a period of some equality." In 1926, Harry Craddock fled prohibition in the United States to become Head Barman at the London Savoy. He was the inventor of the "Old Fashioned." His book includes a chapter on "Cocktails Suitable for a Prohibition Country" and an entertaining autobiographical essay on wines by Colette. Fourth printing, as noted on copyright page, issued the year following the 1930 London first.

A bit of toning to spine, as often. An attractive copy.