Alice B. Toklas: 'The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book', London, Mi...

Hammer

£240

Alice B. Toklas: 'The Alice B. Toklas Cook Book', London, Michael Joseph, 1954, 1st edition, black & white illustrations by Sir Francis Rose throughout, pictorial end papers, original cloth gilt, dust wrapper (worn with repairs). Contains surrealist artist Brion Gysin's infamous recipe for hashish fudge (p.259), which was expurgated from the first American edition. During the almost 40 years that she was Gertrude Stein's constant companion, Alice B. Toklas had a secret ambition, which she confesses in these pages: to write a book of her own. When she finally came to do so after Miss Stein's death, the two consuming interests of her life merged: her years with Miss Stein in France, where they were in constant contact with the great and near great; and the superb food she took such pleasure in preparing for Miss Stein and her distinguished guests. The result is "a book of character, fine food, and tasty human observation." (Janet Flanner)