ESCOFFIER AUGUSTE: (1846-1935) French chef and restaurateur who popularised and updated traditional French cooking methods. A good vintage signed 5 x 7.5 photograph of Escoffier seated in a studious three-quarter length pose at a small table upon which appear several books. The chef rests his chin on one hand and holds a pen in the other as he writes on the paper before him. Photograph by Jacquier of Regent Street, London, and bearing their imprint to the lower mount. Signed ( ´A Escoffier´) in dark fountain pen ink to the lower photographer´s mount and dated London, December 1913 in his hand. The photograph was evidently originally inscribed by Escoffier to a friend in New York, however the name of the individual has been very neatly erased at one stage and only a few words of the greeting remain legible today. Signed photographs of Escoffier are extremely rare and desirable. Very slightly neatly trimmed to the lower edge and with some light age wear and minor creasing to the photographer´s mount, G