Mastering the Art of French Cooking: Volumes 1 & 2.

CHILD, Julia; Beck.

Item Number: 110375

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1961 & 1970.

First editions of both volumes of this classic cook book. Quarto, 2 volumes, original illustrated boards. Volume 1 is signed on the half-title page by both Julia Child and Simone Beck. Volume two is signed by Julia Child, Simone Beck and Paul Child. It is signed as follows, “Make good Bread out of this Best Wishes and “Bon courage” Simone Beck.” Signed Best wishes- Julia Child” and signed below by Paul Child. Volume one and two with drawings by Sidonie Coryn. Drawings by Paul Child. Both are fine in near fine dust jackets. Typography, binding and jacket design by Warren Chappell. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional set, rare signed in both volumes and in this condition.

Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking is arguably the most influential work on French food ever published in the United States. A "self-confessed ham, she became a darling of audiences almost from the moment she made her debut in 1963 at the age of 50" (New York Times). Listed by Time Magazine as one of the top 100 non-fiction books written in English since 1923.