1892 · New York
by Schmidt, William
New York: Charles L. Webster & Co.; [Press of Jenkins & McCowan], 1892. Octavo (21.5 x 15 cm.), 294, [10] pages. Publisher's advertisements at rear. FIRST EDITION. Copyright 1891 but first published 1892. A classic cocktail recipe book, by the self-styled "Only William", a German immigrant who opened the Bridge Saloon at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1884. An endlessly creative bartender who created drinks on a whim with imaginative ingredients, he has been called the "Godfather of Modern Mixology". Very slight rubbing to edges of silver and gilt-stamped illustrated blue cloth, otherwise very good and scarce thus. Early ownership signature to front paste-down, situating this copy early in 1892, "G.H. McCall, 20 January, 1892". [Noling, Beverage Literature page 363]. (Inventory #: 8453)
