“CET ART DIFFICILE”

LAFON, René, LAFON, Jean and COUILLAUD, Pierre. Le Cognac. Sa Distillation. Préface de Maurice Hennessy. Paris: J.B. Bailliére et Fils, 1964. Octavo, original stiff wrappers, glassine. $250.

Later edition of this defining classic on the skill and precision employed in the difficult art of creating cognac, published in Paris, with numerous illustrations, featuring a preface by Hennessy.

This highly regarded work on the many intricacies involved in the production of fine Cognac and its appreciation was largely co-authored by René Lafon and Jean Lafon, descendants of the venerable Lafon family, whose Chateau Lafon-Rochet is famed as one of the finest producers of vintage Cognac. In his preface Maurice Hennessy, then President of the Chamber of Commerce for Cognac, praises Le Cognac for both its passion and its professionalism in explaining the the history and intricacies of "cet art difficile" (this difficult art). Initially appearing in 1938 as a shorter work titled: Notes sur les pourritures des raisins dans les charentes. With numerous in-text photogravures; four pages of advertisements at rear. From the library of Raymond Dumay, a highly regarded authority on wine. With light marginalia, a small tipped-in map of the Cognac region (4-1/2 by 4 inches) and two laid-in leaves: one in manuscript hand, one in typescript.

Text fine; lightest soiling to bright wrappers. A scarce about-fine copy.