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. 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. 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 audubons birds of america endorsed by national audubon society, new york, followed by. The birds of america by john james audubon 1937 limited. Twelve images measuring 9 x 6 12 published by harcourtbrace. Norton in italy under the auspices of joel oppenheimer, a distinguished dealer of bird prints. 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 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. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. Full sized dummy of the regular edition of the book. 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.
The audubon society baby elephant folio roger tory peterson. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Unfollow audubon birds of america book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. The story behind john james audubons birds of america rare.
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. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. The original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for. This is copy number 1916 of a limited edition of 2500, printed on allrag paper. Oct 3, 2015 a personal selection of iconic american natural history prints from the early 19th century.
Each audubon art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. Twothirds of north american bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change. 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. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubon s birds of america with the same or similar title. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james first. Aug 8, 20 old 1937 john james audubon the birds of america book plate hooded warbler 9 via etsy stay safe and healthy. The birds of america by john james audubon 1937 macmillan eigth printing. The lifes work of both a lover and observer of birds and nature. 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 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. Part of the unit centers around art inspired by birds, and so we of course discuss audubon.
John james audubon birds of america set 1937 1st first edition and 1946. Mar, 2001 the book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. Invaluable is the worlds largest marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. 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. John james audubons birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book. Audubon prints birds of america oppenheimer edition. 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. John james audubons most popular book is birds of america.
These bookplates, prints, or pages are two 2 sided. Original vintage 1937 john james audubon birds of america etsy. In other words, there is a bird print on each side. For anyone interested in one of the more famous plates in the bien edition of john james audubons, birds of north america, this may serve to whet his or her appetite. John james audubon the birds of america 21st century edition. 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. Begins work on the birds of america octavo edition and begins the drawings for the quadrupeds. Bowen in 18401844 size is approximately 6 12 x 10 inches genuine audubon lithograph blue mountain warbler male pl. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. Havell produces fifteen extra complete sets of the entire double elephant folio for audubon to sell in america. 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.
Audubons childhood fascination with drawing birds became his obsession. Customize your audubon print with hundreds of different frames and mats, if desired. 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. Excellent art conservation services are provided for all types of two dimension artwork, include works on paper, canvas, and fine photography. 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. Printed in small sets per month, approximately 200.
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. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. 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. William vogt in the brief text that accompanies these plates, this general plan has been followed. Macmillan published duenewald lithographs in their 1937 book audubons birds of america. 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. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for. 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. 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. Vintage book 1950 audubons birds of america popular edition. Original vintage 1937 john james audubon birds of america. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. From drawings made in the united states and their territories, john james audubon. First edition of the birds of america by john james audubon, done by the philadelphia firm of j.
Audubon s warbler, hermit warbler, blackthroated gray warbler. Its a challenging id, but head shape can take you a long way. Audubon and havell make six copies each of the thirteen composite prints. Contains gorgeous color plates including latin name of species and notes on the birds range, etc. 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. John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Shop for audubon art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north american birds havell edition, all reproduced from handengraved plates, and is. Unfollow audubon birds of america 1937 to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Macmillan co publisher with lithographs by duenewald printing.
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. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The beauty of birds is as magical as it is diverse. Not all of the specimens illustrated in the work were collected by audubon himself, some were sent to him by john kirk townsend. Because it was kept shelved and boxed the book itself is in fabulous condition. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. This is a complete edition of john james audubon s nineteenth century masterpiece, the birds of america. The birds of america, volume 6 the birds of america, john james audubon volume 6 of the birds of america. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Offered is an original vintage 1937 john james audubon book plate, print, or bird print no.
Birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover barnes. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. 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. These measure 8 34 x 12 12, and were limited to 2500 copies. One of the finest ornithological works ever printed audubon, john james. Popular edition of john james audubons 1785 1851 illustrations of birds of america began painting in 1840. The audubon centennial edition comprises of all 435 bird image prints, as. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan. 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. 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. Audubons the birds of america 1937 published by the macmillan company, 500 pages.
Audubon the birds of america signed, francis r cope jr. The birds of america, the macmillan company, new york, november 1937. The paintings are lifesize, requiring elephant folios massive books to fit the different birds. 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. The birds of america by audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons.
The audubon society baby elephant folio differs in a number of ways besides its dimensions from earlier editions of the birds of america. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. Collection of 288 audubon paintings, in color, accompanied by captions by ornothologist ludlow griscom 1890 1959, known as the dean of the birdwatchers. Johnson reprint corporation and theatrum orbis terrarum, 197172. 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. 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. 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. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction. What you see here is exactly what audbuon intended you to see, nothing more. The birds of america absorbed audubons attention for much of his life and its publication took nearly 12 years to complete. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition. 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. A copy of birds of america by john james audubon, published in 1937 by macmillan co. Old 1937 john james audubon the birds of america book plate.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Iii and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. 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. 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. 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. 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. The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. John james audubon and the making of the birds of america william souder. Birds of america john audubon 1937 antique book 500 full color drawings.
Is this book rare, birds of america published in 1936. Audubon has made 435 prints from birds of america free to. 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. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1953 ratings. Audubon s birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The modern names, both vernacular and scientific, are given. Jan 20, 2014 in 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish.
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