OP: Cuisine de l'Amour
The Gourmets’ Company, 1942. Paperback. Very Good Minus. Limited edition.
In Cuisine de l’Amour (1942), a self-published cookbook by bookseller and publisher Charles Heartman (1883–1953), the author correlates our preoccupation with aphrodisiacs to our pursuit of a magic bullet which will spare us the effects of old age and poor health.
Heartman takes a diplomatic stance on the effectiveness of oysters, caviar, and the like on vim and vigor, saying, “Those who expect too much may receive very little, whereas those who are merely in search of gastronomical enjoyment may experience additional pleasure.”
He pairs historical anecdotes that make claims on the powers of various foodstuffs with related recipes. The 12th century sultan Saladin, for example, is said to have tested the veracity of fish’s amorous qualities on ascetic dervishes by first feeding them a diet heavy on meat and tempting them with beautiful odalisques. Though physically fortified, they remained chaste. However, after a prolonged diet emphasizing fish, the dervishes succumbed to their carnal desires. A few dozen fish and shellfish recipes follow.
This presumed first printing indicates a limited edition on the copyright page, but the number printed is unknown. Our copy shows minor discoloration and soiling to the yellow paper wrappers and occasional creasing and dogears throughout.