The History of Ancient and Modern Wines -
Alexander Farquharson Henderson
1824 - Baldwin, London - First Edition
A finely bound large quarto first edition of one of the earliest works on the history of wines, and only the third book in English to discuss ‘modern wines’, comprehensive, ‘well-printed text, tastefully illustrated with 32 vignettes and initial engravings portraying various mythological Bacchian Experiences... many of his observations are as valid now as then’ (Gabler).
Wine Literature of the World - Top Dozen - ‘This is probably the first book in the English language to give anything like an accurate account, based on some personal travelling, of the wines of Europe and also of Persia and the Cape of Good Hope. Henderson, a doctor, describes a problem common to today’s wine writers and consumers – how to find words to convey flavours. Many of his observations on "modern wines" are still valid.’ [State Library South Australia]
‘Turn over these costly pages, and feast your eyes with the delicious vignettes, that ever and anon glance out from between the leaves, like the ruby clusters of Bacchus himself ... The Doctor is, absque omni dubio, the first historian of our age. He unites in his single person the most admirable qualifications of all the other masters in this great branch of literature.’ - William Maginn in 'Blackwood', July 1824. ‘The work for which Henderson is best-known is his History of Ancient and Modern Wines, an elegant book embellished by engravings of classical figures, grapes, and garlands. Henderson's account of wines and wine production was based on observations made during visits to the wine-growing districts of France, Italy, and Germany, to the sherry-producing districts of Spain, and to Portugal.’
‘His remarks about wine production in Madeira show that he had visited the island. His discussion of wines of the Cape includes comments on the methods used in production, and he remarked that the only exception to their execrable quality was found in wines from farms at the foot of Table Mountain.’ ‘Henderson's copy of Edward Barry's Observations Historical, Critical and Medical on the Wines of the Ancients (1775) is extensively annotated and appears to form the basis for his own book.’ ODNB
Henderson (1779/80–1863) was born in Aberdeen, where he had his early school; he later attended the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated M. D. in 1803.
References: Bitting, Gastronomic Bibliography, 223. Eberhard Buehler, Viniana, GH133. Marcus and Elizabeth Crahan, Sotheby’s Auction, 596. Gabler, Wine into Words, G23690. Jancis Robinson, Oxford Companion to Wine, 343, 405. André Simon, Bibliotheca Gastronomica, 831. André Simon, Bibliotheca Vinaria, 6.
Quarto (binding size 28x23cm), pp. xvi [2] 408. Pages 137-144, incorrectly inserted after p.128. In contemporary half brown calf over patterned green cloth, spine rebacked to style, ruled in gilt, burgundy calf label lettered and decorated in gilt, all edges trimmed and speckled red. Condition: Near fine, some light soiling and staining to outer edges of a few pages, faint foxing to title page, in nnear fine, restored binding. Ref: 108762 Price: HK$ 13,000
Wine Literature of the World - Top Dozen - ‘This is probably the first book in the English language to give anything like an accurate account, based on some personal travelling, of the wines of Europe and also of Persia and the Cape of Good Hope. Henderson, a doctor, describes a problem common to today’s wine writers and consumers – how to find words to convey flavours. Many of his observations on "modern wines" are still valid.’ [State Library South Australia]
‘Turn over these costly pages, and feast your eyes with the delicious vignettes, that ever and anon glance out from between the leaves, like the ruby clusters of Bacchus himself ... The Doctor is, absque omni dubio, the first historian of our age. He unites in his single person the most admirable qualifications of all the other masters in this great branch of literature.’ - William Maginn in 'Blackwood', July 1824. ‘The work for which Henderson is best-known is his History of Ancient and Modern Wines, an elegant book embellished by engravings of classical figures, grapes, and garlands. Henderson's account of wines and wine production was based on observations made during visits to the wine-growing districts of France, Italy, and Germany, to the sherry-producing districts of Spain, and to Portugal.’
‘His remarks about wine production in Madeira show that he had visited the island. His discussion of wines of the Cape includes comments on the methods used in production, and he remarked that the only exception to their execrable quality was found in wines from farms at the foot of Table Mountain.’ ‘Henderson's copy of Edward Barry's Observations Historical, Critical and Medical on the Wines of the Ancients (1775) is extensively annotated and appears to form the basis for his own book.’ ODNB
Henderson (1779/80–1863) was born in Aberdeen, where he had his early school; he later attended the University of Edinburgh, where he graduated M. D. in 1803.
References: Bitting, Gastronomic Bibliography, 223. Eberhard Buehler, Viniana, GH133. Marcus and Elizabeth Crahan, Sotheby’s Auction, 596. Gabler, Wine into Words, G23690. Jancis Robinson, Oxford Companion to Wine, 343, 405. André Simon, Bibliotheca Gastronomica, 831. André Simon, Bibliotheca Vinaria, 6.
Quarto (binding size 28x23cm), pp. xvi [2] 408. Pages 137-144, incorrectly inserted after p.128. In contemporary half brown calf over patterned green cloth, spine rebacked to style, ruled in gilt, burgundy calf label lettered and decorated in gilt, all edges trimmed and speckled red. Condition: Near fine, some light soiling and staining to outer edges of a few pages, faint foxing to title page, in nnear fine, restored binding. Ref: 108762 Price: HK$ 13,000