Tarling, W.J. ~ Cafe Royal Cocktail Book : With The Scarce Wrapper By Alex Jardine

Publications from Pall Mall Ltd., London : 1937

The First UK printing published by Publications from Pall Mall Ltd., London in 1937. The book was issued by the publishers as 'The Coronation Edition'. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition. Some pushing with very slight splitting to the extreme spine tips. The original blue publisher's boards remain very clean with just some tiny rubs to the lower corners. The gilt titling and decorations remain bright. Free from inscriptions and erasures. Light toning and spotting to the text-block and prelims. Mild offsetting to the blank end-papers with light spotting to the prelims with one small mark to the fore edge of the title and frontis pages. This edition was issued with two different wrappers. This is the more scarcer of the two and is a stiff glassine pictorial wrapper. The WRAPPER is in Very Good condition with edge-wear and loss to the spine ends and rear upper edges due to its fragility (see images). Some closed tears and nicks in places. Priced at '7/6 net' to the lower front flap. The wrapper artwork was by Alex Jardine. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. It is thought that less than fifty copies were issued with this pictorial designed wrapper. Most were issued with the other more plain design. Recipes from the members of the 'British Bartenders Guild', the book is illustrated by Frederick Carter and decorated by 'The Chevron Studio'. William J. Tarling was both President of the British Bartenders Guild and also chief bartender at 'The American Bar' at the Café Royal. The book contains original recipes and twists on a number of classic cocktails and includes one of the earliest references to the Margarita, that appeared under the name Picador. An increasingly elusive title.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++
JACKET: Very Good