"BLACKTHORN SOUR, WHISKY COBBLER, BRANDY SANGAREE, CARRIE NATION COCKTAIL": FIRST EDITION OF JAYNE'S BARTENDER'S GUIDE, 1934

CASSELL, Lilian. Jayne's Bartender's Guide. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Dr. D. Jayne and Son, 1934. 12mo, staple-bound as issued, original printed brown paper wrappers. $400.

First edition of this post-Prohibition bartender's guide, in lovely original wrappers.

Jayne was a patent medicine manufacturer popular throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. "C. C. Bristol and Dr. D. Jayne published the first patent medicine almanacs in 1843… If people were generally suspicious of doctors and their methods, it made sense for them to turn to patent medicines, which promised the cure for every disease in one little bottle. The trouble was that the ingredients and uses of these medicines weren’t regulated. At best, patent medicines contained herbs that were neither helpful nor harmful. At worst, they contained alcohol, opium, or poisons like mercury and turpentine" (New York Historical Society). This work exposes the lighter side of Jayne's focus on chemistry, offering recipes for dozens of mixed drinks and cocktails. It also capitalizes on the post-Prohibition enthusiasm for party drinks. Essentially a promotional item advertising Jayne's—including their expectorant, laxatives, and men's tonics—this work was cheaply printed and is quite desirable in collectible condition.

Slight dampstaining to edges of first few leaves, expected staple rust, original wrappers quite lovely with only slightest stain to spine edge. A handsome copy.