BOURG EN BRESSE.Livre Rare Book
Le Cuisinier gascon.
1740145305Amsterdam i.e. Paris: no publisher 1740. A beautiful copy First edition of "one of the most famous cookery books of the 18th century" BnF. This "particularly elegant collection" of over two hundred recipes Mennell p. 80 is distinguished by its unusual names which Bitting remarks "indicate that the writer gave free scope to his imagination" - poulets en culottes sauce au singe vert. "An excellent and valuable little work now extremely scarce" Kirwan p. 12 it was anonymously published. It has been most frequently attributed to Louis Auguste de Bourbon Prince of Dombes to whom the dedicatory epistle is addressed. A second edition was published in 1741 and a third in 1747. Duodecimo 161 x 93 mm. Woodcut title page device headpiece initial. Contemporary sprinkled calf spine label to second compartment others tooled in gilt with floral motifs dots and stars scrollwork at head and foot raised bands single fillet border in blind to boards marbled endpapers edges red blue silk bookmarker. Previous bookseller's description tipped onto front free endpaper verso facing blank with small earlier purple monogram stamp "BR". Extremities lightly rubbed joints starting but nevertheless firm a little stripping and one watermark to rear board overall presenting very nicely; contents generally crisp and clean occasional light spotting and chip to fore margin of C5. A very good copy in a contemporary binding. Bitting p. 540; Cagle 1081; Livres en bouche Bibliothèque nationale de France 2001 notice no. 202 "Un des livres de cuisine les plus célèbres du XVIIIe siècle"; Maggs cat. 645: Food and Drink through the Ages 237 1747 edition "little cookery treatise contains some recipes marked by picturesque names"; Vicaire 233; Andrew Valentine Kirwan Host and Guest: A Book about Dinners Wines and Desserts 1864; Stephen Mennell All Manners of Food second edition 1996; Willan 665. hardcover
Peter Harrington · Royaume-Uni7 500,00 £GB≈ 8 563,50 €
