A major work (both theoretically and practically) by an American naturalist, chemist, and political adventurer -- the first person to recognize the value of the inner bark (quercitron) of the American black oak as a commercial dyestuff (see Sidney Edelstein's essay on Bancroft in the Oct. 25, 1954 issue of the American Dyestuff Reporter). Bancroft's work was first published in London in 1794 (as Vol. 1 only). The second edition (1813) appeared as a complete edition in two volumes as did the 1814 American edition. Distinguishing between substantive coloring matter and adjective subject matter (i.e. requiring mordants), Bancroft divides his treatise into four parts. The first section deals with the composition and structure of fibres (wool, silk, cotton, linen); the kinds and properties of coloring matter used in dyeing and calico printing; and the use of substantive animal, vegetable and mineral colors. Part II deals with adjective colors from insects and minerals; Part III with vegetable adjective colors; and Part IV with compound colors. Includes an explanation of terms and general subject index. -- AATA