The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry CRADDOCK
CRADDOCK, Harry; RUMBOLD, Gilbert (Illustrator). The Savoy Cocktail Book. London: Constable & Company, 1930.
First edition, second issue with no page number on title-page and no errata slip on page 25; "Additional Cocktails" list present on pages 282-3. Considered by many to be the coolest book in the world, The Savoy Cocktail Book contains over 700 cocktails recipes compiled by Harry Craddock, the bartender at the Savoy Hotel, accompanied by Gilbert Rumbold's fun and colourful Jazz Age illustrations. Includes a section on wines, with an introduction by Colette.
Published shortly after the first printing, this second printing is bound with four colour plates of Booth's Gin adverts illustrated by Gilbert Rumbold, including one featuring Harry Craddock behind the bar endorsing the gin brand: "After many years' experience at the Savoy Hotels I can strongly recommend BOOTH'S DRY GIN. It is always dependable in quality, ensures complete satisfaction and is essential for real cocktails - that is why you will find it at the Savoy, Berkeley and Claridges Hotels and Simpsons Restaurant."
This is a nice association with the ink stamp of Booth’s Distilleries to front endpaper. Booth's is the only gin brand mentioned in any of the recipes of The Savoy Cocktail Book, appearing in the "Booksellers’ (Special) Pride" in the “Additional Cocktails” section. In 1930 when The Savoy Cocktail Book was published, Booth’s was one of the biggest, oldest, and most prestigious gin brands.
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. With a Danish contemporary drinks single-page advert tipped-in after the half-title. 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, bright and attractive copy.