1920 The Epicurean - First Edition / Classic Culinary Encyclopedia

In excellent condition, here is a super vintage copy of The Epicurean. A huge, classic book. Being a first edition published by The Hotel Monthly Press in 1920. Condition in detail below.

One of the most famous, highly collectible, and historically significant culinary encyclopedias in American history. Clocking in at 1,183 pages and featuring over 800 detailed illustrations, it served as the definitive "Franco-American" culinary bible for professional chefs, grand hotels, and high-end restaurants across the United States.

The contents present a stunning look at Gilded Age gastronomy.

It features:

Highly detailed instructions on cooking everything from traditional French sauces and 250 variations of ice cream to exotic game like peacock, plover, sheep tails, bison, and turtle (terrapin).

It famously blends elite French technique with American ingredients, cementing recipes for regional classics like gumbo, corned beef hash, and Philadelphia clams.

Beyond recipes, it offers complete architectural breakdowns of wine service, tablescapes, and how to manage a massive kitchen staff.

Inside the pages are clean, bright and tightly bound. No inscriptions, writing or markings of previous ownership.

In blue cloth over boards with gold and red decoration and an Art Deco 1920s feel. With rubbing to the cloth around the edges, to reveal boards beneath at the corners. Rubbing also to the cloth on the spine ends and joints. A few thin scratches on the back/bottom board.

Your vintage copy of The Epicurean will be wrapped with care in tissue and ribbon* and sent well packaged. I am always happy to add a gift card with a message to the parcel.

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A large and heavy book. H 28 cm x W 20 cm, 1138 pages, 3.9 kg. I dispatch worldwide daily from the UK. (There are just a very few countries which I am unable to ship to).

* If you would prefer for your book not to be decoratively wrapped and sent simply in the full protective packaging please add a note to the order.

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