Kitchen Prelude. Translated From The French By Dorothy Bolton. Hamp, Pierre.

First edition in English, first impression, the publisher's file copy, of Hamp's vivid memoirs of his early years as a pastry-cook's helper in Paris and later as chef assistant in several kitchens in Paris, London, and Brighton. This work is uncommon, especially in the original dust jacket, which features a striking modernist expressionistic design by Gladys Hynes. Pierre Hamp (pseudonym of Henri Bourrillon, 1876-1962) "left school at fourteen to become a pastry chef working in England and Spain before finding employment with French railways in the north of the country. He gradually rose through the ranks, becoming deputy stationmaster and inspector of works. He was also the head of a textile factory. Hamp's vast experience inspired him to write more than 40 novels, a large number of which are grouped under the title of La Peine des hommes (The Lot of Men) and are close, often quasi-technical, and frequently critical studies of working-class conditions and activities" (Flower, p. 257). He became known to his contemporaries as "l'écrivain prolétarien" and "écrivain humaniste". The book was positively reviewed in the New York Times: "The pages are vivid and alive with portrayals of all manner of people. A dramatic spirit infuses the narrative, giving a vital quality to all its happenings and keenly stimulating the reader's interest. Typically French are the relentless realism and the lucidity of the narrative, a realism that does not offend or weary, because it is constantly tempered with the suggestion of a spirit that transcends immediate environment" ("A Chef's Quest"). John Flower, Historical Dictionary of French Literature, 2022; "A Chef's Quest", review in New York Times, Sunday 16 July 1933. Octavo. Original light blue cloth, spine lettered and decorated in blue, top edge green. With dust jacket. Spine faded, a few spots of foxing to edges, otherwise clean; jacket somewhat toned, couple of light stains and scratches to rear panel, chip at head of spine panel with loss of one letter, short closed tear to rear panel, a few minor chips and nicks, unclipped: a very good copy in like jacket.