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- The Savoy Cocktail Book by HarryCRADDOCK
The Savoy Cocktail Book by HarryCRADDOCK
CRADDOCK, Harry; RUMBOLD, Gilbert (Illustrator). The Savoy Cocktail Book. London: Constable & Company, 1930.
First edition. Rare variant with 4 pages of illustrated adverts for Booth's Gin. Also with "Gin's Distillery" ink stamp to front endpaper, and a single-page Danish contemporary drinks advert tipped-in. Booth's is the only gin brand mentioned in The Savoy Cocktail Book, appearing in the "Booksellers’ (Special) Pride" in the “Additional Cocktails” section. Booth’s was established in London around 1740, and during the 19th century, it grew into the largest distilling company in England, gaining the name of King of Gins.
This scarce book is a Jazz Age masterpiece of mixology, book design, advertising, and branding. It contains recipes for over 700 cocktails, accompanied by artist Gilbert Rumbold's amusing and charming illustrations throughout. An English bartender working in the United States, Harry Craddock returned to the Britain at the onset of the Prohibition Era, where he took a job at the American Bar in London's Savoy Hotel in 1920. While working there, he compiled The Savoy Cocktail Book. Craddock included recipes from well-known bartenders he worked with or knew of in America and Britain, including historical mixes. He also included recipes for popular mixed drinks he invented himself, including the Corpse Reviver (No. 2). Includes “The Lucky Hour of Great Wines”, the introduction to the wine section by Colette.
287, [1] pp. 8vo, qtr cloth, wear at top of spine with slight loss, a couple of small splits along the joints, gt lettering on spine rubbed; dec. boards, some rubbing/wear. 2 drink-related small vintage stickers to front endpaper. Ink stamp of Booth’s Distilleries to front endpaper. Apart from a few spots of browning to p. 195, contents are clean and bright. A good copy, but still very appealing.