Providence: Livermore & Knight, 1898

Oblong 16mo, pp. 39. Original light brown suede-covered boards, lettered in gilt to front panel. Cocktail glass design to endpapers, green silk bookmark bound in. Front hinge fragile, bookmark a little frayed, but a well preserved copy.

First edition, with publisher's device to title page publication date (1898) to verso.

One of a series of miniature books on the subject of food and drink published by Livermore and Knight, this very early entry in the cocktail canon is extremely scarce. The later extravagance of cocktail names had yet to take hold -- most are identified here by their main ingredient, followed by the word 'Cocktail' -- but the preface is full of sound advice for the beginner: 'A bottled cocktail might be likened unto a depot sandwich -- neither are fit for use except in case of necessity'.

An exquisite production, and a rare survivor.