The Savoy Cocktail Book

London: Constable and Company, 1930. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine. 8" by 5.5". Gilbert Rumbold. A signed, first edition of this iconic and definitive cocktail recipe book. Signed by the author to Arthur Strange with a presentation inscription wishing them 'all the best'. His signature to page 6 with the phrase "Here's How". With the errata slip to page 25 as called for. A first edition, first impression, with the pagination to the preliminary leaves. The Savoy Cocktail book was written by Henry Craddock, one of the most famous bartenders of the 1920s and 1930s. He had an eighteen year tenure at the Savoy Hotel in London which is when he wrote this collection of 750 Cocktails. Craddock is credited with creating many classic cocktails such as the White Lady and the Corpse Reviver #2.Craddock is also known for founding the United Kingdom Bartenders' Guild in 1934. To the introduction Craddock writes on cocktails suitable for a prohibition country, which relates to his personal history. Craddock was originally from America and left to the United Kingdom during the Prohibition. With an historical introduction regarding cocktails, non-alcoholic cocktails and a list of the cocktail recipes in alphabetical order. Craddock separates the work by types of cocktails, sours, toddies, flips, slings, highballs etc. The second part of this work regards wines. A wonderful opportunity to own a signed first edition copy of the iconic cocktail book. In the publisher's original quarter cloth binding with gold and silver leaf boards. Externally, smart. Minor rubbing to the gilt boards, as is common with this work. Gilt to spine has faded and the cloth is fraying to the head of the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright with a few light marginal spots and browning to the first and last few pages. Near Fine