DAVID, Elizabeth. English Bread and Yeast. London: Allen Lane. 1977.
8vo. Original blue cloth with illustrated dust-jacket, illustrated endpapers; pp. xxii, 591, 24 black and white photographic plates, line illustrations throughout by Wendy Jones spine a little sunned; very good.
First edition.
sold with: a loose cutting of a review by Ena MacPherson of this book in The Scotsman, 1st December, 1977, and an ALS postcard from Elizabeth David to MacPherson.
MacPherson's admiration of David is apparent in her 1977 review of English Bread and Yeast throughout which she is unstinting in its praise: "if you want an investment buy a copy for yourself because surely this must become the classic authority on the subject". David's note to MacPherson, in blue ink on a double-sided headed notecard (15 x 10cm ) and dated 28th December 1977, is both grateful for the review and indicative of a relationship that had become closer: "Dear Ena, Thank you for the lovely review in the Scotsman. I've so often thought of you and our lunch together at the time I was first starting work on the bread book". The note reflects on the lengthy gestation of the book and pays tribute to David's editor, Jill Norman, the dedicatee of the book: "Then Jill Norman just took the typescript away, and I must say that I was quite thankful". This copy of David’s book and her postcard are lovely mementos of friendship, and offer a glimpse into David’s writing process.
SKU: 2123952