The History of Ancient & Modern Wines

Henderson, Alexander. The History of Ancient & Modern Wines. [FIRST EDITION] Baldwin, Cradock & Joy: London, 1824. 4to (280x220mm) full black calf, gilt dec & lettered, a.e marbled, [2],xvi,[2],408,[2]pp.

HENDERSON, Alexander (1780-1863)

The History of Ancient & Modern Wines.

London, Paternoster Row : Baldwin, Cradock & Joy, 1824. First Edition. Printed by J Moyes, Greville St, London.

Quarto (280x220mm) contemporary full black polished calf boards, gilt decorated & lettered spine in 5 blind-stamped and gilt decorated compartments, with raised bands, plain gilt & blind-stamped ruled boards, inside gilt dentelles, all edges marbled, marbled end-papers, [2],xvi,[2],408,[2]pp. Title-page with mounted engraved vignette on India paper, as issued, eight wood engraved vignettes, twenty-nine wood engraved historiated initials (all vinous and by William Harvey); one folding table at p.380.  Boards faintly scuffed, edges lightly rubbed in a few places, corners slightly bruised.  Faint offset toning opposite a few vignettes and initials. Slight occasional foxing not affecting the text. Generous margins.  Possibly lacks half-title.  Signature and date faintly and neatly penciled to end of each chapter. Several owner names in pencil and ink to front free end-papers, owner name in ink 'J W Heading, London' to title-page.

Henderson was a Scottish physician and author who visited the wine regions of France, Germany and Italy before writing The History of Ancient and Modern Wines, which is considered by most to be the first book in English (in Part II) to describe modern wines in detail and with some accuracy.  Many of his observations on regional styles are still relevant today; for example, his comments on Burgundy and the relative merits and styles of Vougot, Volnay, Pommard, Musigny, Chambertin etc echo today at tasting tables daily.   Jancis Robinson notes that "some of the the most useful aspects of his book perhaps reflect some aspects of his medical training: his observations on the art of wine tasting" (The Oxford Companion to Wine).

Harvey (1796-1866) was the pre-eminent apprentice of Thomas Bewick, and one of the leading designers, artists and wood engravers of the early nineteenth century.  The History of Ancient & Modern Wines was one of his earliest works.


A singularly important book in the English canon of wine books following Barry and foreshadowing Redding and a foundation to any good collection of wine literature.  A lovely copy.

§ Gabler G23790; Noling p.199; Simon BV p.6; cf Bitting p.223.