He wandered the woods and rivers of the wild frontiers of north america shooting, studying, posing, and painting every species of bird he could find, and many years later, the resulting books were to change the worlds of ornithology and naturalhistory art forever. The birds of america is one of the best known natural history books ever produced and also the most valuable a complete set sold at auction in december 2010 for gbp7. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for. Bowen in 18401844 size is approximately 6 12 x 10 inches genuine audubon lithograph blue mountain warbler male pl. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month and is. Often cited as the most expensive book of all time, there are still 120 known intact copies of john james audubon s the birds of america which was published between 1827 and 1838. Macmillan published duenewald lithographs in their 1937 book audubons birds of america. John james audubon the birds of america 21st century edition. Havell produces fifteen extra complete sets of the entire double elephant folio for audubon to sell in america. John james audubon birds of america set 1937 1st first edition and 1946. Shop for audubon art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. April 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter.
John james audubons most popular book is birds of america. Each audubon art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. Jul 23, 2012 the 1937 edition of birds of america by john james audobon published by the macmillan company would value between 175 225 dollars in good condition. Part of the unit centers around art inspired by birds, and so we of course discuss audubon. I shall publish the letterpress in a separate book, at the same time with the illustrations, and shall accompany the descriptions of the birds with many anecdotes and accounts of localities connected with the. He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of american birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats. The lifes work of both a lover and observer of birds and nature. As the record of the interior story of the making of this monumental work, his journal of 1826 is one of the richest documents in the history of american culture. These bookplates, prints, or pages are two 2 sided.
A large heavy book, the birds of american, by john james audubon with an introduction and description text by william vogt, published by the macmillan company, 1937book. As part of my research for the lost bird project, i was graciously given access to the audubon double folio housed in the rare books library at cornell university. Vintage book 1950 audubons birds of america popular edition. The birds of america is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon, containing illustrations of a wide variety of birds of the united states. Original vintage 1937 john james audubon birds of america. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons. In the 19th century it was the usual practice for bird illustrators to work exclusively from preserved specimens, but audubon found this less than ideal. Wildlife artist john james audubon, namesake of the national audubon society, dedicated his talents to painting and describing all of the bird species of america, eventually culminating in his seminal birds of america. Macmillan co publisher with lithographs by duenewald printing.
What you see here is exactly what audbuon intended you to see, nothing more. The audubon society baby elephant folio roger tory peterson. The audubon centennial edition comprises of all 435 bird image prints, as. The birds of america by john james audubon 1937 macmillan eigth printing. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. Popular edition of john james audubons 1785 1851 illustrations of birds of america began painting in 1840. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north american birds havell edition, all reproduced from handengraved plates, and is. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james first. Offered is an original vintage 1937 john james audubon book plate, print, or bird print no. Audubons childhood fascination with drawing birds became his obsession. John james audubon and the making of the birds of america william souder.
The modern names, both vernacular and scientific, are given. The audubon society baby elephant folio differs in a number of ways besides its dimensions from earlier editions of the birds of america. First edition of the birds of america by john james audubon, done by the philadelphia firm of j. Audubon prints birds of america oppenheimer edition. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. Full sized dummy of the regular edition of the book. Oct 3, 2015 a personal selection of iconic american natural history prints from the early 19th century. T he the audubon centennial edition of john james audubons, the birds of america, double elephant folio is a unique print facsimile limited edition dedicated to the esteemed mission of the national audubon society to conserve our natural ecosystems.
They were first reproduced in the octavo birds of america published by audubon in new york and j. Birds of america john audubon 1937 antique book 500 full color drawings. The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. We are an art gallery with over 50 years of experience focusing on the artwork of john james audubon, john gould, pierrejoseph redoute and other natural history artists. Reproductions of audubons birds of america audubon prints. On each cup and saucer is found a seal in the form of a crown, the letter a, and the name, alfred meakin england, followed by the audubon plate number and latin name of bird, and the statement, reproduced from the elephant folio edition of audubon s birds of america endorsed by national audubon society, new york, followed by. Begins work on the birds of america octavo edition and begins the drawings for the quadrupeds. The book is a good size not elephant portfolio sizei wish but large enough for students to really see the detail and the print is high quality. The birds of america absorbed audubons attention for much of his life and its publication took nearly 12 years to complete. Audubon s warbler, hermit warbler, blackthroated gray warbler. As early as november of 1826, shortly after lizars had begun the engraving of the birds of america, audubon had written in his journal. Contains gorgeous color plates including latin name of species and notes on the birds range, etc.
He was notable for his expansive studies to document all types of american birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats. This plate has been carefully removed from the fine limited edition published by w. Old 1937 john james audubon the birds of america book plate. Because it was kept shelved and boxed the book itself is in fabulous condition. Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner inc. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north american birds havell edition, all reproduced from handengraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration. The original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for the birds of america, reproduced in color for the first time from the collection at the newyork historical society reprint hard cover american heritage, 1966 very good condition.
John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. I checked out this book from my library, hoping it had the full collection of birds from audubons birds of america, but alas the copy by library had only featured 30 color prints from the original book, with a catalog of the remaining 470 prints printed in. Each four volume set of the birds of america comprised 435 hand colored lifesize prints of 489 bird species. The birds of america, volume 6 the birds of america, john james audubon volume 6 of the birds of america. I have a book titled birds of america and below that title is the word audubon, this is on the spine of the book at the bottom of the spine are the numbers 598. Aug 8, 20 old 1937 john james audubon the birds of america book plate hooded warbler 9 via etsy stay safe and healthy. One of the finest ornithological works ever printed audubon, john james.
Printed in small sets per month, approximately 200. And audubons second book, ornithological biography, which was intended to be a companion to the birds of america, would inspire the founding of the national audubon society, one of the world. John james audubon jeanjacques audubon april 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was a french american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. This is a complete edition of john james audubon s nineteenth century masterpiece, the birds of america. Mar 24, 2020 the audubon society baby elephant folio differs in a number of ways besides its dimensions from earlier editions of the birds of america and from john james audubon s original, massive doubleelephant folio, the heaviest volume of which weighs 56 pounds. Norton in italy under the auspices of joel oppenheimer, a distinguished dealer of bird prints. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction. Twelve images measuring 9 x 6 12 published by harcourtbrace. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. Birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover barnes. The birds of america, the macmillan company, new york, november 1937. This is copy number 1916 of a limited edition of 2500, printed on allrag paper. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. Collection of 288 audubon paintings, in color, accompanied by captions by ornothologist ludlow griscom 1890 1959, known as the dean of the birdwatchers.
John james audubons birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book. Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan. Its a challenging id, but head shape can take you a long way. The story behind john james audubons birds of america rare. Audubons the birds of america 1937 published by the macmillan company, 500 pages. These remastered images have had nothing added or taken away they simply show the wonderful work previously hidden under nearly 200 years worth of dirt, discolouration, fading and damage. To create this hardback edition, the natural history museums own original double elephant size folio was disbound and each of the 435 beautiful handcoloured prints was specially photographed. From drawings made in the united states and their territories, john james audubon. Twothirds of north american bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change. Audubon the birds of america signed, francis r cope jr. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. Iii and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. In other words, there is a bird print on each side.
John james audubon, an early american naturalist and painter, produced one of the greatest works of natural history and art of the nineteenth century, the birds of america. Unfollow audubon birds of america 1937 to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Customize your audubon print with hundreds of different frames and mats, if desired. Field guide to john james audubon s 1785 1851 extraordinary illustrations of birds of america, collection of 288 birds paintings in color, accompanied by captions from ornothologist ludlow griscom 1890 1959, known as the dean of the birdwatchers. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1953 ratings. Nov 14, 2011 is this book rare, birds of america published in 1936 answered by a verified antique expert we use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Audubon s birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Not all of the specimens illustrated in the work were collected by audubon himself, some were sent to him by john kirk townsend who had collected them. Jan 20, 2014 in 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. Audubon and havell make six copies each of the thirteen composite prints. The birds of america by audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The paintings are lifesize, requiring elephant folios massive books to fit the different birds. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high. These measure 8 34 x 12 12, and were limited to 2500 copies. While there are a handful of books in the world that may be worth more, until 20 birds of america held the record for the most money paid at auction for any single. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. A copy of birds of america by john james audubon, published in 1937 by macmillan co. Audubon has made 435 prints from birds of america free to. Is this book rare, birds of america published in 1936. If there is any damage to the book including staining, water damage, damage to the spine, or torn or missing pages this would devalue the book. Excellent art conservation services are provided for all types of two dimension artwork, include works on paper, canvas, and fine photography.
The beauty of birds is as magical as it is diverse. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. Havell was a celebrated engraver who over the next decade would transform audubon s watercolor drawings into the brilliance that became the double elephant folio edition of the birds of america. Mar, 2001 the book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. Johnson reprint corporation and theatrum orbis terrarum, 197172. I checked out this book from my library, hoping it had the full collection of birds from audubon s birds of america, but alas the copy by library had only featured 30 color prints from the original book, with a catalog of the remaining 470 prints printed in blackandwhite thumbnails in the back of the book. Original vintage 1937 john james audubon birds of america etsy. When he arrived however at the academy of natural sciences in philadelphia, armed with his portfolio, he made the mistake of boasting that he had seen wilsons work and that it was inferior to his own. The birds of america by john james audubon 1937 limited. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubons work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. William vogt in the brief text that accompanies these plates, this general plan has been followed. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubon s birds of america with the same or similar title.
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