The Savoy Cocktail Book by Craddock, Harry - 1930

London: Constable, 1930. A first edition, first printing published by Constable in 1930. First trade edition of this quintessential book of cocktails, with lively and colorful Art Deco illustrations by Gilbert Rumbold and lovely Art Deco binding. A witty, informative, and eminently useful book on how to make and mix drinks. Compiled by "the king of cocktail shakers," it contains humorous anecdotes on the origin of the cocktail and its purpose ("for the solace of man"), as well as "an elucidation of the Manners and Customs of people of quality in a period of some equality." In 1926, Harry Craddock fled prohibition in the United States to become Head Barman at the London Savoy. Condition: In Original Binding. Interior very; faded to spine lettering and small fading to back cover gild, covers bright and lovely. A clean, very good copy. No inscriptions. A very good copy indeed. Spine dulled and some light wear to the corners, but rubbing to the corners and to the front panel. Some notes to certain pages and notes section to the rear have been filled in with some superb (and no doubt very potent) cocktails. The book also comes with a beautiful Pimms advertising pamphlet. Rare.