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. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. An employee poses with a page from john james audubons book birds of america. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for. My images of audubon is a very popular cdrom that contains all 500 images of the audubon 1st octavo edition of birds of america, along with audubons original text for each bird. Birds of america havell edition 182638 the 1st original audubon publication. 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 blackandwhite thumbnails in the back of the book. Bowen was the lithographer, but about 17 of the plates in volume one were lithographed by nagel and weingaertner of new york. 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. Its value to science and especially to ornithology cannot be. Reproductions of audubons birds of america audubon prints. Later editions from the 1850s can often be had in nice condition for four figures and individual prints from the octavo editions can be found for a few thousand dollars.
He created about 200 copies of the 3foottall, fourvolume set, each. I have an audobon birds of america fifty selections with commentaries by roger tory peterson all 50 prints are within box book the macmillan company, no date on prints nor box book. Jul 30, 2003 the actual title is the national audubon society baby elephant folio audubons birds of america. 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. Oct 01, 2011 john james audubon was a naturalist and painter and is considered one of the greatest bird artists of all time. An employee poses with a page depicting a snowy owl, from john james audubons book birds of america during a photocall for the frederick, 2nd. One of the finest ornithological works ever printed audubon, john james.
In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubons work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. Dec 15, 2017 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 audubons birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book. Published between 182738 in an edition of around 200, the birds of america represents the culmination of audubons life work as a naturalistartist, depicting in 435 plates every. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london.
The gallery had permitted the national audubon society to make 400 copies each of 50 selected prints of audubons double elephant folio edition of the birds of america, of which the gallery possesses the only original, unbound copy in the united states. The prints of john james audubon s original 18261838 birds of america double elephant folio def havell edition are perhaps the most popular and certainly most copied bird images ever. 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 actual title is the national audubon society baby elephant folio audubons birds of america. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds of america with the same or similar title. 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. Davies said that while the estimated value of the duke of portland set is sky high. John james audubon is best known for his ornithological magnum opus, the birds of america. John james audubon was a naturalist and painter and is considered one of the greatest bird artists of all time. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. The lifes work of both a lover and observer of birds and nature. From the original double elephant folio by john james audubon.
A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds. Born in haiti in 1785, he spent much of his life travelling north america observing, catching and drawing birds and animals in remarkable detail. After that, you will find information on how to determine the general market value of your original audubon print. This large hardbound book is filled with beautiful color reproductions of audubons bird paintings. As early as november of 1826, shortly after lizars had begun the engraving of the birds of america, audubon had written in his journal. 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. While audubon was creating birds of america, he was also working on a companion publication, namely, his ornithological biography. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan abebooks. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading.
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. It doesnt say tiny anywhere, only in amazons description. First edition of the birds of america by john james audubon, done by the philadelphia firm of j. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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 printed work. The prints of john james audubons original 18261838 birds of america double elephant folio def havell edition are perhaps the most popular and certainly most copied bird images ever. Audubon havell edition price guide 1 the audubon havell edition and price guide john james audubon s original birds of america double elephant folio was easily the finest natural history book ever published.
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. The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. To accommodate these large illustrations, the birds of america was published as a double elephant folio some 40 inches tall and 28 inches wide, equivalent to 100 by 68 centimeters. Over the years many authors have written entire books about the birds of america publication. Ornithologist john james audubon labored over his lifes masterwork, the birds of america, from 1827 to 1838. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. What happened was that his fame, of course, rests on the birds of america, which was published in england between 1827 and 1838. Original havell engravings, bien color lithograph, octavos, and oppenheimer editions prints. And audubons second book, ornithological biography, which was intended to be a companion to the birds of america, would inspire the founding of. Sep 10, 2010 john james audubons birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book.
John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. It also contains all 155 images of the 1st octavo edition of the quadrupeds of north america, along with audubon and the rev. Dec 08, 2010 a copy of the worlds most expensive printed book has sold at auction for. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to benefit. Audubon s birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Each audubon art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. Darlington in the midnineteenth century and later donated, as part of his extensive library, to the university of pittsburgh. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price guide books. Below, you will find detailed descriptions and illustrations of the original audubon publications. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. May 31, 2018 ornithologist john james audubon labored over his lifes masterwork, the birds of america, from 1827 to 1838. These prints were engraved and handcolored chiefly by robert havell in 87 numbers of five plates each. The edition of birds of america by julius bien and john woodhouse audubon was discontinued due to the onset of the civil war.
Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubon s birds of america with the same or similar title. Rare copy of audubons birds of america for sale science. The birds of america by john james audubon, macmillan, 1942. Customize your audubon print with hundreds of different frames and mats, if desired. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james first. My images of audubon is a very popular cdrom that contains all 500 images of the audubon 1st octavo edition of birds of america, along with audubon s original text for each bird. The birds of america depicts more than one thousand birds which come vividly alive in its 435 pages. Dec 12, 2019 what makes audubons the birds of america such a great and desirable book. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. I have an audubon birds of america fifty selections with. The last full edition of the birds of america, which went up for auction. Audubons reputation as a great artist and naturalist was recognized throughout the world when he published from london, between 1827 and 1838, his famous double elephant folio prints.
The quadrupeds of north america 184954 the small quadrupeds were published in octavo form just as the birds, but for the first time, the name of audubons son, john w. Mar, 2001 the book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. 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. The story behind john james audubons birds of america rare. Shop for audubon art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. In 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. The birds of america absorbed audubons attention for much of his life and its publication took nearly 12 years to complete. Audubon prints birds of america havell edition prints. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. Only 120 complete sets of audubons 435 handcoloured, lifesized engravings of americas birds are believed to exist today, with the majority 107 owned by institutions. It is estimated that between 2025 million copies or reproductions of the original audubon images have been produced since the 1930s. More information about this seller contact this seller 16. The 19th century masterpiece, replete with count em 435 handcolored illustrations, has long been considered a crucial document about u.
Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner inc. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. This book is not a coffee table book, it isnt for scholars, it isnt so big it wont fit into a bookcase, it sits nicely in the palm of your hand, actually covering just the palm of. It is estimated that between 2025 million copies or reproductions of the. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. Spine is faded and light wear to cover else very good condition.
Bowen in 18401844 size is approximately 6 12 x 10 inches genuine audubon lithograph blue mountain warbler male pl. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james 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. John james audubon the birds of america 21st century edition. What makes audubons the birds of america such a great and desirable book. Original audubon havell edition produced 18261837 prints for sale. Jan 20, 2014 in 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. 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. Part of the unit centers around art inspired by birds, and so we of course discuss audubon. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris.