"COGNAC IS TO BRANDIES WHAT CHAMPAGNE IS TO WINES": FIRST EDITION OF CARLTON STRINGER'S WINES, PUBLISHED IN THE FINAL YEAR OF PROHIBITION

STRINGER, Carlton. Wines. What to Serve. When to Serve. How to Serve. Scarborough, N.Y.: Canape Parade, 1933. Slim octavo, original burgundy and silver pictorial wrappers, staple bound as issued; pp. 63. $550.

First edition of Stringer's slim elegant work, issued in the last year of Prohibition, dedicated to helping Americans "gain the greatest appreciation of wine," with five full-page illustrations, in original silver-stamped wrappers.

Published in the final year of Prohibition, Wines is one of a little-known series by New York-based publisher and author, Carlton Springer, who writes with longing of how certain wines "always make me think of music, for in the days before Prohibition, one always found them at garden parties," and notes: "before Prohibition our California wines were known by the same names as the famous ones from other countries." Nevertheless, Springer is clearly devoted, in this scarce work, to providing Americans with a guide to everything from the proper pairing of wines and dinner courses, to the best wine glass for the "fullest enjoyment of the bouquet." Featured, as well, are recipes for brandy cocktails, champagne cocktails, martinis and manhattans, along with sections on French, German, Italian, Spanish and South African wines. Issued the same year as Stringer's Cocktail Parade.

Interior fine, lightest rubbing to original wrappers. About-fine.