Drinks of the World

London, UK: The Leadenhall Press, 1892. Second-hand hardcover. Mew, James & Ashton, John. Drinks of the World. [FIRST EDITION] The Leadenhall Press: London, 1892. 8vo (225x145mm) dark blue cloth, gilt lettered bds, [2],362,[14 advts]pp. bds lightly rubbed & bruised; eps & a few pps lightly foxed; owner name to pd. MEW, James (1837 - 1913) and ASHTON, John (1834-1911) Drinks of the World London: The Leadenhall Press, 1892.   First Edition. Octavo (225x145mm) dark blue cloth, gilt lettered boards, [10 incl prelims],7-362,[14 publisher catalogue]pp. Frontispiece, one hundred illustrations. Lacks dust jacket (if issued); spine head and foot gently pushed; light shelfwear; corners lightly bruised; endpapers and pastedowns moderately foxed. Top edges a trifle dusty.  Small closed marginal tear to p.90.  Previous owner name to front pastedown. An exhaustive, intriguing, uncommon, somewhat magpie like history and discourse on all forms of beverages including beer, cider, wine, cocktails, coffee, tea, spirits, kvass, hippocras, liqueurs, even water.  As noted in the introduction, it seeks to interest, rather than inform and thus excludes judgments on medical status, quality, price or adulteration. A chapter on Australian wine, quoting from Toovey and Drs Thudichum and Dupre notes amongst other brands the 'claret' of St Huberts; many other wine regions are also discussed as well as historical wines such as Falernian.  The chapter on American drinks quotes Jerry Thomas extensively and has a selection of recipes including Rumfustian, Bimbo Punch, the Blue Blazer and the Black Stripe.  There are also chapters on Coco and Kola. The Leadenhall Press under the direction of Andrew White Tuer (1838-1900) was an innovative London publisher during the 1880s and 1890s. Scarce in commerce. A very good copy. § Gabler G30810; Noling p.288; Bitting p.323; EUVS.