{"product_id":"op-the-gentlemans-companion","title":"OP: The Gentleman's Companion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCrown Publishers, New York, 1946. Hardcover. Near Fine.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most irresistible eccentrics in the world of food was a tireless traveler, eater, and drinker named Charles Baker, Jr. (1895–1987). Starting his adult life as a factory worker in his home state of Florida, he emerged in the 1930s and 1940s as a contributor to \u003cem\u003eEsquire\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eGourmet\u003c\/em\u003e, and others, reporting on gastronomic arcana. Baker travelled far and wide and produced a host of books, including this great two-volume \u003cem\u003eThe Gentleman’s Companion\u003c\/em\u003e, published in very scarce limited edition in 1939 and republished by Crown in 1946. It is the Crown edition we offer here.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is difficult to convey the flavor of the writing—highly informed, witty, and at times flippant, utterly lacking any pretense of objectivity, and, above all, endlessly entertaining. Throughout his typographically anarchic text Baker scatters quirky commentaries and suggestions that he entitles WORDS to the WISE. The tone is charming and the opinionated recipes captivating. Their titles alone are an adventure: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Volume I, entitled Being an Exotic Cookery Book: ONE DUET OF THOUGHT on The Frying of Crustaceans \u0026amp; Fish, or Lobster or Shrimp... Delicious Fried in Batter—Raw—of Which These are Two Exotic Examples: One from NAGASAKI, JAPAN, 1931; One from PORT ANTONIO JAMAICA, 1933. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOr from Volume II, entitled Being an Exotic Drinking Book: TWENTY and SEVEN PICKER-UPPERS for the NINETEENTH HOLE, which Can not only ENABLE US TO GREET THE NEW DAY UNDISMAYED but MAY—on occasion—SAVE A LIFE. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGood fun aside, the recipes throughout generally meet a high standard. The tips and hints are all quite sensible. These two volumes—436 pages in all—are offered in earnest by someone who knows a good bit about the kitchen and the bar. Baker’s bold, brassy ”gentleman’s companion,” despite some instances of social insensitivity endemic to the period, is worthwhile for collectors and for everyone interested in reading about food.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set is in excellent condition, Near Fine in all aspects. As in all copies of the 1946 edition, the binding cloth was colored with a very light-sensitive dye, and the spines have faded. The fronts and backs are the original bright red. The slip case is rubbed but sturdy. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KNOP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41438419353733,"sku":"Charles H. Baker, Jr.","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0297\/5046\/0549\/files\/baker_gentlemans_companion.jpg?v=1763659624","url":"https:\/\/www.kitchenartsandletters.com\/products\/op-the-gentlemans-companion","provider":"Kitchen Arts \u0026 Letters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}