Various - The Word' s book of wines, spirits & liquors - 1949

The World's Book of Wines, Spirits & Liquors – Vins, Alcools & Spiritueux de France – Tome I – 1948
A remarkable and substantial post-war reference work devoted to the wines, spirits and liqueurs of France, comprising no fewer than 778 pages.
The volume provides an extensive panorama of French wine culture and the wine trade in the late 1940s, covering the principal wine-growing regions, producers, merchants and individual houses.
What makes this book particularly attractive is its exceptionally rich illustration. Throughout the volume are numerous period advertisements, wine labels, bottle designs, trademarks, decorative illustrations and striking full-page colour plates. Many have the character of small pieces of commercial artwork and provide a fascinating record of French advertising and graphic design shortly after the Second World War.
Represented are, among others, Alsace, Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, Burgundy, Côtes du Rhône, Jura and numerous other French wine regions. The illustrated advertisements include historic names and producers such as Château Pavie Macquin, Henri Maire and Lejay-Lagoute, alongside many other wine and spirits houses.
Of additional interest is the contemporary ownership/trade stamp:
N.V. Wijnhandel M. Reuchlin & Zoon
v. Vollenhovenstraat 14
Rotterdam
This gives the copy an interesting connection with the historic Dutch wine trade.
The book is preserved in its original red publisher's binding with gilt lettering and decoration. Particularly unusual is the large gilt advertisement on the rear cover for Arbuckle, Smith & Co. Ltd., Glasgow, whisky specialists, bottlers and blenders.
778 pages.
Condition:
Good condition considering its age. The original red binding shows signs of use, including rubbing, wear to the edges and corners and some fading/discolouration. The interior is generally well preserved with normal signs of age. The numerous colour illustrations and advertisements remain particularly attractive and retain strong colours.
A fascinating and highly decorative volume, appealing not only to collectors of books on wine and gastronomy, but also to collectors of vintage advertising, wine labels, graphic design and French commercial history.
Please study the photographs carefully; they form an important part of the description and show only a selection of the very extensive illustrated contents.