A Treatise on the Esculent Funguses of England, containing an Account of their Classical History, Uses, Characters, Development, Structure, Nutritious Properties, Modes of Cooking and Preserving, &c.

Description:

First edition. Charles David Badham (1805-1857) was an English naturalist, who wrote several books on insects, fish, and fungi. The present book is said to have introduced many varieties of mushrooms to the English table. The final chapter, 'Conclusion', discuses 'Funguses in Italy'.

Frontispiece after T.H. Cromak, Rome. The hand-coloured plates depict splendidly luscious varieties of edible fungi.

Nissen attributes the original illustrations of this book to Mrs Hussey, and they certainly resemble her style. Anna Maria Hussey [née Reed] (1805-1853) was a mycologist and botanical illustrator, best known for her 'Illustrations of British mycology: containing figures and descriptions of the funguses of interest and novelty indigenous to Britain', published in two series in 1847 and 1855 under the authorship of Mrs T.J. Hussey.

Freeman 149; Nissen BBI 58.

Condition

4to, rebound in recent half leather, gt to spine, marbled boards, new endpapers. Owner's book-plate to front pastedown. Faint stain to outer margin of frontis, not affecting the illustration. Slight browning to outer margins of pages. Occasional pencil annotation. Plates bright and clean. Vg.