1883 FIRST EDITION OF “THE EARLIEST CALIFORNIA IMPRINT DEVOTED SOLELY TO WINE-MAKING”

RIXFORD, E.H. The Wine Press and the Cellar. A Manual for the Wine-Maker and the Cellar-Man. San Francisco and New York: Payot, Upham & Co.; D. Van Nostrand, 1883. Octavo, original gilt-stamped green cloth, patterned endpapers. $4200.

First edition of this illustrated manual from "the earliest California imprint devoted solely to wine-making" (Gabler), with frontispiece and numerous in-text illustrations.

Rixford was an avid and expert viticulturalist who "produced prized wines from the cabernet grape at his La Questa Vineyard in San Mateo County, south of San Francisco" (Gabler G34300). Based largely on methods used in France, The Wine Press and The Cellar is a detailed manual for California winemakers, the first California imprint to focus on wine making as distinct from vine growing. Simon, 14. Cagle & Stafford 646.

Light foxing to text block edges; traces of wear to extremities. An attractive, near-fine copy.