OP: Bacchus Behave!
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Frederick A. Stokes Company, New York, 1933. Hardcover. Very Good Plus/no jacket. First printing.
“Having been involved for so long with synthetic gin, flapper whiskey, and a varied assortment of friendship-testing home-brews, our palates and our manners can scarcely be expected to cope successfully with the niceties of the superior nectars that await our fancy,” begins this witty, post-Prohibition drinking etiquette book.
What makes this particular book stand out is that it was written by a woman, Los Angeles Times’ then gossip columnist Alma Whitaker, and for women—both uncommon at the time for books on tippling. Though imbued with a certain amount of humor, Whitaker’s advice is serious and never crass, unlike many of her male contemporaries.
She has tips for drinking all types of spirits, always recommending erring on the side of moderation and warning of the consequences if not—though some drink-induced behaviours are less damaging than others. Beer and wine she says, “for some mysterious reason, seem to inspire their devotees to song;” however, “Beer songs show an insular disposition to be mainly about beer…Wine songs, on the other hand, are apt to be rollicking.”
She also offers suggestions for foods to be served on various occasions with their appropriate liquid accompaniments. Five punch and cup recipes are included.
Ours is a Very Good Plus copy of the scarce first printing. Though it lacks the jacket, the boards are handsomely illustrated. Minor soiling to the rear board. Previous owner’s bookplate to the front pastedown.
