Cyril Ray — The Compleat Imbiber

London, Vista Books; Hutchinson, 1962-9. First edition. Cloth. The first edition of volumes five and ten in Cyril Ray's 'The Compleat Imbiber', beautifully illustrated throughout. The first editions of these works.In two volumes.'The Compleat Imbiber' was a series of anthologies on alcohol that was published from 1956 until the early 1970s.The series is a history and study into alcohol, spanning from wines to spirits.'The Compleat Imbiber 5', in the original unclipped dustwrapper, published in 1962, designed by Charles Hasler. Illustrated with a frontispiece, and many plates and in-text illustrations. Contributors include Raymond Postgate, Denzil Batchelor, Paul Dehn, and more.'The Compleat Imbiber 10', in the original unclipped dustwrapper, published in 1969, designed by Charles Hasler. Illustrated with a frontispiece, and many plates and in-text illustrations. Contributors include Aldous Huxley, John le Carre, Sarah Bellamy, and more.Edited by Cyril Ray, an English author and journalist, who is best known for his wine writings, though he was also a war reporter and foreign correspondent. In the original publisher's cloth binding, in the original unclipped dustwrappers. Externally, smart. Dustwrappers with minor edgewear, a little heavier to volume 5, with some chips to the head of the spine of volume 10. Discolouration to the reverse of the dustwrapper for volume 5. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: Charles Hasler. Near Fine/Very Good.