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BOLTON, James Harmonia Ruralis; or, an Essay towa

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Stannary, nr. Halifax: printed for and sold by the Author, and B.& J. White in London, 1794-1796. 2 volumes, large 4to (334 x 244 mm). Pasted errata slip at foot of final page in vol. II. Hand-colored etched frontispiece and 80 hand-colored etched plates by Bolton. 20th-century half green morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, gilt lettering to spines, vol. II uncut. Condition: the frontispiece mounted to size at the front of vol. I, light old damp-staining to vol. I with resultant slight cockling and discoloration to the final 2 text leaves and 2 plates. Provenance: Lynn Abbott Trust. a large copy of the colored issue of the first edition of this charming work. Unlike most of his contemporaries, Bolton studied and drew his birds from life rather than from skins or stuffed specimens. "The very detailed text was prepared with great care and accuracy, the fruits of personal observation in the field as well as an inspection of specimens in hand. Bolton described every part of the bird, from the tip of its beak to the end of its tail, carefully noting any distinctive marks on the plumage." (Christine Jackson). Ellis / Mengel 308 ('rather rare'); Fine Bird Books (1990) p.78; Nissen IVB 115.(2)

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