
          Bolton, James. Icones fungorum circa Halifax sponte nascentium. 6 vols.

Original manuscript. With 240 beautiful large water-colour drawings
of fungi, in several colours, by the author. Folio. Original half calf,
backs gilt. Halifax, 1784-1792.

Swiss Frs. 1000.—.

Fine original manuscript, by the author of "History of fungusses
growing about Halifax”, 1788-1791, The exact relation of the printed
work ( the author’s only publication on Fungi) to the present
manuscript has not yet been established. This might even be the
original manuscript for the "History of fungusses." At all events
it must be pointed out, that the printed work is in quarto, and the
manuscript in folio, and that the printed work contains 182 plates,
while the manuscript has 240 large drawings. Volume I of the manuscript
is dated 1784, II and III : 1786 ; IV : 1787 ; V : 1791 ; VI ; 1792.
Thus, the manuscript was begun four years before the first published
volume of the "history”, and finished one year after the last.

Collation:

Vol. I : Title, 1 leaf : Preface ; drawings 1 - 44 , each preceded
by a manuscript description of one leaf ; 1 leaf : index.

Vol. II. : Title ; 1 leaf : Advertisement ; drawings 46 - 88
( with their text leaves ) ; 1 leaf : index.

Vol. III.: Title, 1 extra plate ("Tab.I, II, III”), with text leaf and
inserted slip ( " these figures ..... will make a necessary part of
the Introduction when the work is compleated”) ; drawings 89-132
( with their text leaves ) ; 1 leaf : index.

Vol. IV : Title ; 1 leaf : Memorandum ; drawings 133 - 182 ( with their
text leaves) ; 1 leaf : index.

Vol. V : Title ; text leaves 183-185 ( but no drawings for these three
numbers) ; drawings 186-233 ( with their text leaves, .

Vol. VI : Title ; drawings 234-242 ( with their text leaves ) ;
followed by numerous blank leaves ; 1 leaf : Note ; 7 leaves : Index.
Inserted at the end : a printed index generalis ( from the "History”) :
6 leaves, with autograph remark by the author on the first of these
six leaves.

No drawings are wanting at the end, as the manuscript index goes no
further than no. 242, The total of 240 drawings is arrived at by
242 less non-existing numbers 183-185, plus extra drawing in vol. III.

Excellent condition
        