Wine in Peace and War.

WAUGH, Evelyn.

$275.00

Item Number: 147868

London: Saccone & Speed Limited, [1947].

First edition of this history of the winery Saccone & Speed. Octavo, original pictorial boards with original tissue paper dust wrapper, with decorations by Rex Whistler. In near fine condition.

Wine in Peace and War (1947) by Evelyn Waugh is a brief yet insightful exploration of wine culture, written during a time when post-war Britain faced economic hardship and rationing. Commissioned by the wine merchants Saccone & Speed, the book blends Waugh’s signature wit with a practical discussion of wine appreciation, its historical significance, and its role in civilized society. While primarily a commercial publication, it reflects Waugh’s personal enthusiasm for wine and his broader concerns about the decline of traditional aristocratic values in modern Britain. As a minor yet distinctive work within Waugh’s literary canon, Wine in Peace and War offers a unique glimpse into his perspective on luxury, refinement, and cultural continuity in the aftermath of World War II.