Food·Wine·Art
Cocktails
Food
Wine Whisky
Art & Architecture
Ceramics Jade
Fashion
Film Theatre
Music
Photography
Les Grands Vins de Bordeaux. -
M. P. Biarnez, Professeur Babrius [Pseud. Dr. Jules Arthaud]
1870 - Feret, Bordeaux - Second Edition revised and enlarged
A finely bound revised and enlarged second edition, the text in French, profusely illustrated with four engraved frontispieces and twenty full-page engravings of people in various social “wine” situations related to the text. The engravings are after designs by Pauquet.
‘Biarnez takes us on a poetic tour of the Médoc, in French, singing the praises of the classified growths (pages 17-93) and ends with a paean to the white wines of Bordeaux (pages 97-123) and the effect they have on the imbiber: “C'est une ivresse sainte, un sublime délire, Et, parmi tous les vins, notre vin seul l'inspire!. To the rear is Dr. Arthaud’s 51 page essay ‘De L’influence du vin sur la civilisation’.
Published 20 years after the first, this edition adds further lines to the verses, an enlarged preface, and includes an additional engraved frontispiece, and the original engraved plate from the first edition. The ‘hanging plate’ opposite page 73 has been replaced with the man being led to the gallows, perhaps readers had complained that it spoilt their enjoyment of a decent glass of claret.
More details
Price HK$ 7,000
1870 - Feret, Bordeaux - Second Edition revised and enlarged
A finely bound revised and enlarged second edition, the text in French, profusely illustrated with four engraved frontispieces and twenty full-page engravings of people in various social “wine” situations related to the text. The engravings are after designs by Pauquet. ‘Biarnez takes us on a poetic tour of the Médoc, in French, singing the praises of the classified growths (pages 17-93) and ends with a paean to the white wines of Bordeaux (pages 97-123) and the effect they have on the imbiber: “C'est une ivresse sainte, un sublime délire, Et, parmi tous les vins, notre vin seul l'inspire!. To the rear is Dr. Arthaud’s 51 page essay ‘De L’influence du vin sur la civilisation’.
Published 20 years after the first, this edition adds further lines to the verses, an enlarged preface, and includes an additional engraved frontispiece, and the original engraved plate from the first edition. The ‘hanging plate’ opposite page 73 has been replaced with the man being led to the gallows, perhaps readers had complained that it spoilt their enjoyment of a decent glass of claret.
More details
Price HK$ 7,000
A Practical Treatise on Brewing -
William Black
1844 - Longman, London - Third Edition, &lsquo
A near fine, and unopened copy, of this important and popular treatise, first published in 1835
Folding plate ‘Delineation of the New Improved Saccharometer’ to the rear.
The Spectator in it’s review notes that this is ‘A new edition of a book we formerly noticed as a useful and original-minded treatise. The additional matter has been revised by Professor Graham, of the London University.’
Perhaps the most well known historical Scottish brewing firm was that of William Black & Company of Aberdeen believed to have been established in 1803, and his ‘Devanha Brewery’ used the former Paper Mills by the Wellington Suspension Bridge in Aberdeen. Black’s Devanha Porter - a dark beer resembling stout - became famous throughout the UK, the Brewery being conveniently close to the railway halt at the Cattle Bank. The firm itself was laterally acquired in 1819 to become the Gilcomston Brewery and again by the Devanha Brewery Company Limited, registered as a limited liability company in 1910. Brewing finally ceased in 1930 after the firm was acquired by Thomas Usher & Son Ltd. of Edinburgh. William Black & Co. also ran the Devanha Distillery, built about a mile upstream from the Brewery in 1825. [Durden Park Beer Circle / The Doric Columns].
More details
Price HK$ 3,500
1844 - Longman, London - Third Edition, &lsquo
A near fine, and unopened copy, of this important and popular treatise, first published in 1835 Folding plate ‘Delineation of the New Improved Saccharometer’ to the rear.
The Spectator in it’s review notes that this is ‘A new edition of a book we formerly noticed as a useful and original-minded treatise. The additional matter has been revised by Professor Graham, of the London University.’
Perhaps the most well known historical Scottish brewing firm was that of William Black & Company of Aberdeen believed to have been established in 1803, and his ‘Devanha Brewery’ used the former Paper Mills by the Wellington Suspension Bridge in Aberdeen. Black’s Devanha Porter - a dark beer resembling stout - became famous throughout the UK, the Brewery being conveniently close to the railway halt at the Cattle Bank. The firm itself was laterally acquired in 1819 to become the Gilcomston Brewery and again by the Devanha Brewery Company Limited, registered as a limited liability company in 1910. Brewing finally ceased in 1930 after the firm was acquired by Thomas Usher & Son Ltd. of Edinburgh. William Black & Co. also ran the Devanha Distillery, built about a mile upstream from the Brewery in 1825. [Durden Park Beer Circle / The Doric Columns].
More details
Price HK$ 3,500
Julens Tolv Dage -
Doreen and Lars Bo
1953 - O.C. Olsen &, Denmark
One of 850 copies privately printed for Doreen and Lars Bo to give to friends.
A fine copy, of this personal interpretation in Danish of the traditional carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, written and beautifully illustrated by renowned Danish artist and illustrator Lars Bo, with gilt illustrated blue paper wrappers, and inscribed from Doreen and Lars Bo to their friends the equally renowned illustrator Ronald Searle and his wife, the journalist and publisher Kaye Webb.
More details
Price HK$ 2,000
1953 - O.C. Olsen &, Denmark
One of 850 copies privately printed for Doreen and Lars Bo to give to friends.A fine copy, of this personal interpretation in Danish of the traditional carol ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, written and beautifully illustrated by renowned Danish artist and illustrator Lars Bo, with gilt illustrated blue paper wrappers, and inscribed from Doreen and Lars Bo to their friends the equally renowned illustrator Ronald Searle and his wife, the journalist and publisher Kaye Webb.
More details
Price HK$ 2,000
The Physiology of Taste -
Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, M.F.K. Fisher (translator)
1949 - The Limited Editions Club, New York - No. 1085 of 1500 copies
A wonderful example of the first and definitive issue of Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher's brilliant translation of Brillat- Savarin's classic work on gastronomy and 'a well balanced expression of one thinking man's attitude towards life'.
Mary Fisher, considered the 'poet of the appetites' by John Updike, and hailed by W. H. Auden as the greatest American prose writer, was renowned, not only as one of the finest writers on gastronomy, but also with a style of her own. A reviewer of a previous work by Fisher said ‘She writes about food the way some people do about love - only better.’
Fisher took more than two years to work on the translation, which was financed by the Limited Editions Club, who pulled out all the stops to present it in this beautiful large leather binding and slipcase.
More details
Price HK$ 8,000
1949 - The Limited Editions Club, New York - No. 1085 of 1500 copies
A wonderful example of the first and definitive issue of Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher's brilliant translation of Brillat- Savarin's classic work on gastronomy and 'a well balanced expression of one thinking man's attitude towards life'.Mary Fisher, considered the 'poet of the appetites' by John Updike, and hailed by W. H. Auden as the greatest American prose writer, was renowned, not only as one of the finest writers on gastronomy, but also with a style of her own. A reviewer of a previous work by Fisher said ‘She writes about food the way some people do about love - only better.’
Fisher took more than two years to work on the translation, which was financed by the Limited Editions Club, who pulled out all the stops to present it in this beautiful large leather binding and slipcase.
More details
Price HK$ 8,000
Chafing-Dish Dainties -
Mrs. Sarah Brownson How
1896 - Self Published. Printed by E. C. Lockwood, Brooklyn - First Edition
'At once a stove and kitchen - the chief recommendation of the Chafing-dish is that it may be brought into use at a moment's notice.’
A rare and delightful guide to the benefits of the chafing-dish, with numerous recipes for eggs and omelettes, caramels, corned beef, lobster, macaroni, oysters, turkey, veal and sweetbreads.
‘There are all possibilities within the chafing dish, providing there is a cordon blue, who gives herself up to the task of managing it. If the cook be a novice, Mrs. Sarah Brownson How of Brooklyn in her pretty book “Chafing Dish Dainties” will explain all the niceties and there is also to be found an extensive menu, all to be cooked with a chafing dish.’ - New York Times, New Book Review, 1897.
Mrs. Sarah Brownson How, a New York socialite gave frequent lectures on the art of housewifery as well as the history of New York.
More details
Price HK$ 2,000
1896 - Self Published. Printed by E. C. Lockwood, Brooklyn - First Edition
'At once a stove and kitchen - the chief recommendation of the Chafing-dish is that it may be brought into use at a moment's notice.’A rare and delightful guide to the benefits of the chafing-dish, with numerous recipes for eggs and omelettes, caramels, corned beef, lobster, macaroni, oysters, turkey, veal and sweetbreads.
‘There are all possibilities within the chafing dish, providing there is a cordon blue, who gives herself up to the task of managing it. If the cook be a novice, Mrs. Sarah Brownson How of Brooklyn in her pretty book “Chafing Dish Dainties” will explain all the niceties and there is also to be found an extensive menu, all to be cooked with a chafing dish.’ - New York Times, New Book Review, 1897.
Mrs. Sarah Brownson How, a New York socialite gave frequent lectures on the art of housewifery as well as the history of New York.
More details
Price HK$ 2,000
A Clockwork Orange -
Anthony Burgess
1962 - Heinemann, London - First edition first issue in first state jacket
A bright sharp and thus rare first edition of this "scarifying," controversial novel, and source for Stanley Kubrick's cult film. Social prophecy? Black comedy? Study of freewill? A Clockwork Orange is all of these. It is also a dazzling experiment in language, as Burgess creates a new language - 'nadsat', the teenage slang of a not-too-distant future.
'Not only about man's violent nature and his capacity to choose between good and evil. It is about the excitements and intoxicating effects of language' – Daily Telegraph.
'One of the cleverest and most original writers of his generation' – The Times.
More details
Price HK$ 43,000
1962 - Heinemann, London - First edition first issue in first state jacket
A bright sharp and thus rare first edition of this "scarifying," controversial novel, and source for Stanley Kubrick's cult film. Social prophecy? Black comedy? Study of freewill? A Clockwork Orange is all of these. It is also a dazzling experiment in language, as Burgess creates a new language - 'nadsat', the teenage slang of a not-too-distant future.'Not only about man's violent nature and his capacity to choose between good and evil. It is about the excitements and intoxicating effects of language' – Daily Telegraph.
'One of the cleverest and most original writers of his generation' – The Times.
More details
Price HK$ 43,000
Hollywood's Favorite Cocktail Book, Including the Favorite Cocktail Served at Each of the Smartest Stars' Rendezvous -
George Buzza
1933 - Buzza-Cardozo of Hollywood, Hollywood - First Edition
Extremely rare and fine first edition of this wonderful little cocktail book, complete with the two part box.
Published the year prohibition ended and replete with favourite recipes of Hollywood stars of the day like Mae West, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Marlene Dietrich, Will Rogers and Jean Harlow. Some cocktail names include President Roosevelt Cocktail, Satan's Whiskers, San Diego, Shanghai, Sazerac, The Douglas Fairbanks, The Elissa Landi, the Jack Dempsey, the Jean Harlow, the Johnny Weismuller, The Lindbergh, The Lupe Velez, the Mae West, The Marlene Dietrich, The Mary Pickford, The Max Baer, The Roscoe Turner, etc. Signature cocktails from famous Hollywood hangouts like The Brown Derby, The Embassy Club and The Hi Ho, among others.
More details
Price HK$ 16,000
1933 - Buzza-Cardozo of Hollywood, Hollywood - First Edition
Extremely rare and fine first edition of this wonderful little cocktail book, complete with the two part box.Published the year prohibition ended and replete with favourite recipes of Hollywood stars of the day like Mae West, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Marlene Dietrich, Will Rogers and Jean Harlow. Some cocktail names include President Roosevelt Cocktail, Satan's Whiskers, San Diego, Shanghai, Sazerac, The Douglas Fairbanks, The Elissa Landi, the Jack Dempsey, the Jean Harlow, the Johnny Weismuller, The Lindbergh, The Lupe Velez, the Mae West, The Marlene Dietrich, The Mary Pickford, The Max Baer, The Roscoe Turner, etc. Signature cocktails from famous Hollywood hangouts like The Brown Derby, The Embassy Club and The Hi Ho, among others.
More details
Price HK$ 16,000
The Decisive Moment -
Henri Cartier-Bresson
1952 - Simon and Schuster in collaboration with É, New York - First Edition in English
One of the most important photography books of the 20th century, containing 126 full or double page heliogravures, considered ‘unique in providing an international portrait or impression of humanity covering the two decades prior to its publication’. Divided into two chronological and geographical sections: the first spans the years 1932 to 1947 and is made up of photographs taken in the west; the second spans 1947 to 1952 and was shot mostly in the east.
Prefaced by Cartier-Bresson’s 4,500-word philosophical essay, whose keynote ‘There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment.’ was taken from the 17th century Cardinal de Reitz.
‘The idea of the 'decisive moment' is one of the most enduring in photographic literature, and no one has articulated it better than its coiner, in his preface to this book: 'To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organization of forms which give that event its proper expression.’’ - David Levi Strauss.
An elusively fine copy, the book without the commonly found chips to spine, in a superior example of the delicate dust jacket, both showing the striking illustration provided by Cartier-Bresson’s friend Henri Matisse. The original 12 leaf ‘Captions’ pamphlet laid in, as published.
More details
Price HK$ 19,000
1952 - Simon and Schuster in collaboration with É, New York - First Edition in English
One of the most important photography books of the 20th century, containing 126 full or double page heliogravures, considered ‘unique in providing an international portrait or impression of humanity covering the two decades prior to its publication’. Divided into two chronological and geographical sections: the first spans the years 1932 to 1947 and is made up of photographs taken in the west; the second spans 1947 to 1952 and was shot mostly in the east.Prefaced by Cartier-Bresson’s 4,500-word philosophical essay, whose keynote ‘There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment.’ was taken from the 17th century Cardinal de Reitz.
‘The idea of the 'decisive moment' is one of the most enduring in photographic literature, and no one has articulated it better than its coiner, in his preface to this book: 'To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organization of forms which give that event its proper expression.’’ - David Levi Strauss.
An elusively fine copy, the book without the commonly found chips to spine, in a superior example of the delicate dust jacket, both showing the striking illustration provided by Cartier-Bresson’s friend Henri Matisse. The original 12 leaf ‘Captions’ pamphlet laid in, as published.
More details
Price HK$ 19,000