Reference to popular used book websites indicates that there is confusion about when this famous annual series of wine guides was first published:
- Booksellers often quote 1980 as the first year of issue.
- In fact, the 1981 issue was the first, though this was actually published in 1980.
- Similarly, the 1982 issue (the copy in this lot) was the second in the series, but published the year before.
Green Skivertex-boards with gilt lettering to the upper panel only, plain endpapers, 154 pp of text. Condition: complete, unmarked and fine throughout.
NOTES
- Over the years, these guides have changed out of all recognition. Early issues (as this) had no colour and no maps or other illustrations. The bulk of the book (pp 7-69 and 95-154) is an alphabetical listing (from Audacia to Zonnheimer) of wine-producers and their wines.
- Pp 1-6, the prelims, are the title page, how to use the guide, including the use of the star system (no stars and * to *****), contents, preface and acknowledgments.
- Pp 70-94 are mini-essays on grapes and wine grapes, wine certification, wine of origin areas, styles of wine, wine-making terms, wine-tasting and tasting terms, the best vintages, wine storage, serving wines, wine and food, wine and health.
- From small beginnings, the annual series became enormously popular: first, because it was pocket size (now large pockets are necessary); secondly, because it brought the South African wine-drinker closer to South African wines; thirdly, because of its page of commonsense about wine and health; and fourthly, because it continued to reinvent itself and stay ahead of the competition.
- Complete series (28 volumes from 1981 to 2018) are extremely difficult to fine. The first issue (1981) is scarce and therefore high-priced, while the other early issues, such as this second and revised issue (1982), are also scarce but less so and also relatively high priced.
- Binding Condition: Fine
- Overall Condition: Fine
- Size: 195 x 90
- Sold By: Fontein Books
- Contact Person: Richard Proctor-Sims
- Country: South Africa
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 051 773 0050/048 079 546 4032
- Preferred Payment Methods: Eft (South Africa), SWIFT (rest of world), or $ checks for US or Australian buyers
- Trade Associations: AA Approved