Cyrus REDDING -.A History and Description of Modern Wines. L

Cyrus REDDING -.A History and Description of Modern Wines. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1860. Octavo, 440p. [+ 32p] original green blind-stamped cloth. Goede antiquarische staat, rug moet enigszins gerestaureerd, zeer zeldzaam, vaste prijs, verzendkosten koper. “THE FIRST BOOK IN ENGLISH THAT DEALS EXCLUSIVELY WITH MODERN WINES… THERE IS NOTHING BETTER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE”Third edition, with additions and corrections, of Redding's influential treatise,“the first book in English that deals exclusively with modern wines,” in original cloth.
First published in 1833, Redding's History and Description of Modern Wines was "the first book in English that deals exclusively with modern wines. was an immediate success and required a second edition in 1836, a third in 1851, and subsequent printings thereafter. According to Andre Simon, 'no other book written in English on the subject of wines has ever been more popular nor so copiously copied from by later writers than Redding's History.' As a reference for information about wines of the late 18th and early 19th centuries that are still produced today, there is nothing better in the English language. Scarce" (Gabler, Wine Into Words, 221). Redding's "text was based on careful personal observation and gleanings from many sources, including the treatise of 1787 by John Croft of York. By advocating the reduction of the duties on French wines, Redding's work did much to educate public opinion on this subject and to prepare the way for the rectification of the tariff in 1860" (DNB). Redding followed the success of this work with French Wines and Vineyards and the Way to Find Them in 1860. Gabler notes that this third edition was "republished subsequent to 1851 and in 1871." With engraved frontispiece and chapter head-pieces. With 15-page publisher's catalogue in lieu of endpapers. See Bibliotheca Vinaria, 13.