Wine List, Signed (3 results)

Circa 1934. 28 pp, tabbed. Jud Wright illustration to front wrapper, signed in the plate; b/w illustrations and half-tones throughout. 10" x 6-1/2" A lovely menu showcasing the Ambassador's extensive holdings of fine alcoholic beverages. It also offers a list of suggested wine pairings, and a page of dos and don'ts "to freshen the memories of those who may have forgotten the glorious Pre-Volstead era and for those in their twenties' who never had a chance to learn the exquisite art of dining well" (front wrapper). Consequently, we date the menu as being issued shortly after the repeal of Prohibition in December of 1933. Small marker scribble to front wrapper; light coffee stain to upper margin of last three leaves; occasional short pencil mark through an item's identification number or price. Else clean and crisp. VG. Stapled stiff buff wrappers printed in mulberry and green. Now housed in a clear archival mylar sleeve.

The original Le Cirque wine list used prior to the restaurant cataloging their wine cellar and printing a commercial style wine list, presented by front room captain Joseph C. Garni to Le Cirque co-founder Jean Vergnes. Quarto, bound in full leather with "Carte Des Vins Le Cirque" stamped in gilt, gilt ruling, and scrolling to the front panel, watered moirà silk endleaves, 14 pages contained in laminated sleeves, text in calligraphy decorated with hand-colored borders, the list contains sections of Champagnes, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, wines of the Rhone, Loire, Alsace, Vins Mousseux, Rose, Italian and American reds. Design, calligraphy and illustration by Le Cirque front room captain and master calligrapher Joseph C. Garni. Presentation copy, inscribed Joseph C. Garni opposite the dedication page, "Dear Jean, After twenty five years of you and I sharing the experiences of work I have come to look forward to the next quarter century of work and friendship with deep affection 'Joe' December 1, 1974." With an additional introductory calligraphic presentation page which reads in full, "Dear Jean, There are wines listed in this book that give us a great sense of pleasure, and there are others that help in refreshing one's spirit; and there are wines that stimulate interesting conversations. However, since I cannot make such wines for your pleasure and refreshment, I offer you the wine of friendship, the grapes of which were pressed by Him who changed water into spectacular wine. Joseph C. Garni." The recipient, Jean Vergnes, was a classically trained and highly acclaimed French chef, best-known as the co-founder and original co-owner along with Sirio Maccion of the famed Manhattan eatery Le Cirque, which opened in 1974. Vergnes had a major influence on American restaurant culture for more than four decades. He began his career working as a chef at various top restaurants in Paris during World War II, with a brief stop in Bermuda before moving to the United States in 1950. Classically trained in the French tradition, he was soon working in the kitchen of the Waldorf-Astoria, then as the youngest executive chef of the legendary Colony Restaurant, and finally as co-founder of Le Cirque, one of the most dazzling culinary jewels of New York since its opening in 1974. From 1986 to 1992, Daniel Boulud was executive chef of Le Cirque and in 1995, it was awarded the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant. From the library of Jean Vergnes and thence by descent. In fine condition. A unique piece of culinary history.        .

AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE EXAMPLE OF PRINTING ON VELLUM. The menu of the International Parchment Convention Dinner held at Claridge's on the evening of May 19th, 1955. 4 leaves printed on one side only. Quite a luxurious meal, as one would expect at Claridge's, featuring Beluga caviar, crevettes de Morécambe, expensive wines, etc. This copy printed for Mr F. Lund (name neatly calligraphed on cover). Printed thoughout in blue and black. Image of the Tower of London on the cover. 4to. Tasseled string tie. FINE AND BRIGHT, WITH NO DEFECTS. Menus printed on vellum or parchment are of the greatest rarity.