1912 ALI BAB HENRI BABINSKI GASTRONOMIE PRATIQUE SIGNED INSCRIBED

[028713] (France - 20th Century - Gastronomy - Henri Babinski). Gastronomie Pratique Etudes Culinaires Suivies Traitement De l'Obesite Des Gourmands Par Ali-Bab. Paris, France.: Ernest Flammarion, Editeur, 1912. 2nd Edition. 636 pages.

Very warmly inscribed and signed on the half-title page, "A mon excellent camarade et bien aimable ami G. Claus souvenir affectieux H. Babinski." With a color portrait frontispiece of the author by Eugene Cadel. French text throughout and with a useful index.

This is the second edition revised & greatly expanded of Babinski's classic culinary work; according to Cagle (57a in ‘A Matter of Taste’) the first edition was 314 pages. Text with culinary history, menus, recipes and remarks on best preparation methods and variations.

Henri Joseph Severin Babinski (1855 - 1931) French-Polish mining engineer, author & gourmand, was  the older brother of Joseph Babinski (1857 - 1932) an honored clinical neurologist and prolific medical author. Henri Babinski's career in mining sent him around the world, during which he became interested in the cuisines of various cultures and their eating habits. After his career, he returned to Paris where he supported his scientific brother in his studies and began to write books on gastronomy; the brothers were life-long bachelors and deeply devoted to each other.

In 1974, Craig Claibourne wrote in the NY Times that: "... “Gastronomie Pratique,” (is) a volume we have treasured in our home library for more years than we can count...." Approx. 8 1/4" x 10 1/4" size; bound in black & gold paper covered boards, brown morocco leather spine with simple gilt titling, patterned endpapers, all edges gilt. A little edge, tips wear to the binding; leaves a little tanned; clean and in very good condition. Provenance: Directly from the family of the inscribed.d in very good condition.