"crosby gaiges cocktail guide" news and stories

Ever been bitten by the bug that has you up at 3 a.m. bidding on random books and ephemera on auction websites? Once I bid on a copy of Crosby Gaige's Cocktail Guide and Ladies Companion published in 1941 that a friend had listed on e-bay, only to get a message scolding me that he already had a copy set aside for me. This addiction to collecting old books and cocktail gear can be particularly dangerous when you have friends who share the collection illness with you.

Not only did my friend give me this book, he came over with a dinner menu inspired by Mr. Gaige and made cocktails all night. I love the names of the drinks in the Ladies Companion, including "Euthanasia," "Quickie Cocktail," "Psychopathia Sexualis," and "Let's Slide Downstairs" just to name a few. He even includes a few simple canapé recipes to keep you going, such as "Virginia": ground ham, chutney, and grated melted cheese on toast.