NOTES TO THE CATALOGUE OF WOOD ENGRAVINGS   Editions James Bostock chose to print small editions by hand burnishing, normally about 30 or 40 impressions. Some blocks that were experimental, or to be used commercially, were not editioned. About five to ten proofs were printed from these blocks, they were usually signed. In some cases where demand was high, Bostock printed a further 10 to 30 impressions from the block as a second, and sometimes a third, edition. However, the editions rarely amount to more than 60 impressions in total. In 1996/1997 Hilary Paynter printed impressions from several of James Bostock's blocks on her Albion press. (Three of the blocks were printed by Vitaly Moiseev under Hilary Paynter's supervision.) These prints were also included as part of second or third editions and are identified in the catalogue.                                       Papers All editions printed by Bostock are on Japanese paper or Basingwerk Parchment. Editions printed by Hilary Paynter are on Zerkall (ENE III). Blocks Bostock was often experimental in his approach to technique. Economic as well as innovative considerations led him to use a variety of materials as a matrix as well as the usual boxwood, endgrain block. Where a variation has been used this has been noted in the catalogue.                                      Colour During the I 950s and 1960s Bostock experimented with colour on a few blocks, usually by overprinting with linoblocks. Although achieving some remarkable results and a prestigious prize (see catalogue number 27a), Bostock considered that a black and white image was always more powerful. Abbreviations: RE Annual exhibition of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers (formerly the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers). SWE Annual exhibition of the Society of Wood Engravers. RA Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. RBA Annual exhibition of the Royal Society of British Artists. Ashmolean. Ashmolean Museum and Art Gallery, Oxford. BG Bankside Gallery, Hopton St., London. BM British Museum . Ex Exeter City Museum and Art Gallery. HIB,USA Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA. V&A Victoria and Albert Museum . HBW Albert Garrett, A History of British Wood Engraving. BWE Albert Garrett, British Wood Engraving of the Twentieth Century