A Perfect Cup of Tea

In 1903, New York journalist Arthur Gray took on the entire history of tea, brewing it down to size into one diminutive volume that became the bible of the day on this popular subject. Now this same text has been edited by Pat Ross and complemented with illustrations for anyone fascinated by the myriad facts and fictions about this time-honored beverage.Arthur Gray believed that the taking of tea was a civilizing influence on both women and men, adding comfort and companionship to their hectic lives. A Perfect Cup of Tea spares nothing as it expounds the virtues of tea over other drinks. Charming period drawings and ephemera illustrate the book, including artwork from old china and silver patterns, vintage tea labels, advertising artwork, and line drawings of convivial acquaintances pausing with their calming cups of tea. From its origins in China to England's obsession with afternoon tea, Gray recounts the glorious history of the heady brew briefly and concisely, singing its praises with lofty quotes, humble verse, and humorous toasts. The result is a joyful pastiche on "the cup that cheers but not inebriates."