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

CHILD, Julia; Beck.

Item Number: 129375

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 “Bon appetit! Julia Child” and signed twice by Simone Beck. Volume two is signed on the half-title page, “Bon appetit! Julia Child.” Volume one and two with drawings by Sidonie Coryn. Drawings by Paul Child. Both are near fine in a near fine dust jackets, volume one price-clipped. Typography, binding and jacket design by Warren Chappell. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell box. An exceptional set, most rare in this condition and signed.

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.