Presentation copy to the artist Derek Hill: “For dearest Derek with my love Liz, June 1988”, with David additionally signing her name in full.
Derek Hill first assisted Elizabeth David by persuading the Italian artist Renato Guttuso to illustrate the original edition of this title in 1954, and the chef habitually visited the artist at his home in Churchill, Donegal. She soon developed a strong bond with Derek’s cook, Gracie McDermott and described her as the finest natural cook she had ever encountered. Gracie would often send her parcels of wild sorrel and other herbs from the garden.
Seamus Heaney was another great friend of Hill and he described Gracie on the verso of a postcard portrait of Sir Philip Sidney:
On the back of Philip SidneyI praise the cook of rib and kidneyMay God, who made the spuds and mintRain blessings on her without stint.
Emanating from the library of Jonathan Gili, with his bookplate loosely inserted. A near fine copy in dust jacket.
