Audubonprints@aol.com

WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF AUDUBON

There will never be another John James Audubon.   America will not receive any more paintings or prints from this great naturalist and artist highlighting the discovery of our nation's birds and animals.  Today, of the approximately 180 complete copies of the Double Elephant Folio published in London by Audubon, about 120 sets survive and of these about 100 are in public institutions such as the Library of Congress and the National Gallery of Art in Washington.  These large bird prints, along with the animal folios and the miniature editions of our animals and bids are obviously limited and thus rising in price.  They represent American history in its finest sense and in coming years will be scarce.  Yet many are still within the financial means of a great body of collectors.  I simply tell my customers, "Own a piece of America's history; buy an original Audubon print."

In this catalog, you are offered some of the prints from Audubon's first great work, the large folio Birds of America; his second work, The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America; and a selection from the miniature edition of the birds and animals, all original Audubon prints.  In addition, we have a selection from the Audubon Bien Edition (1858-60), as well as some prints from the works of bird artists Mark Catesby, Alexander Wilson, Johann Seligmann and John Cassin. Also offered are some excellent Audubon facsimiles from the 1972 Amsterdam Edition and the Fifty Best Watercolors from the New York Historical Society Collection.  

CONDITIONS OF SALE

Our 10-day money-back guarantee stands behind each purchase.  The prices quoted are net.  Payment by check made to Audubon Prints Ltd. Ptrs. is requested with your order.  All plates are offered subject to prior sale, and prices are subject to change without notice.  We ship FedEx or USPS and pay all insurance and postage costs.  Virginia residents must pay the state sales tax.  Prints may be reserved or questions answered by mail, e-mail or telephone. Our gallery is open by appointment only.

All prints are unconditionally guaranteed to be authentic and as described.  A Certificate of Authenticity is provided for all print purchases.

Ed Kenney, Manager

Member, American Historical Print Collectors Society
              National Audubon Society
              Audubon Naturalist Society, Washington, DC
              American Birding Association, Inc.

              Retired Staff Member, United States Senate

AUDUBON PRINTS AND BOOKS LTD. PTRS.

9720 SPRING RIDGE LANE

VIENNA, VA  22182

Phone  703-759-5567

Fax     703-759-5578

www.Audubonprints-books.com

Email   Audubonprints@aol.com

 

 

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JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, 1785-1851

John Audubon gave several different accounts of his birth, but the discovery of records in France in the early 1900’s established that he was the son of a French naval captain and a French servant girl who worked for Captain Audubon at his sugar plantation in San Domingo, Haiti. Audubon’s real mother died within a short time after his birth, so Audubon’s father took him back to France as a young child where Captain Audubon and his legal wife adopted him.

To avoid conscription by Napoleon, Captain Audubon sent his son to America to manage property he had purchased near Philadelphia. It was here that Audubon met and married his wife, Lucy Bakewell, whose support was critical in achieving his success. During his early married years he was unsuccessful in business and attained fame as an artist only after many troubled years.

Audubon’s genius was recognized after he went to England and subscribers made possible the long publication of his 435 prints (1827-1838). In the 1830’s Audubon also wrote his 5-volume Ornithological Biography, which described the habits of the birds he drew. After completing his folio, Audubon published his small Birds of America between 1840 and 1844. These prints are most prized by collectors today.

After being successful with the birds, Audubon undertook to publish the prints of the animals of America, 1845-1848. This proved more difficult than he had anticipated, as many of our animals were nocturnal and their habits were hard to discover. He was greatly aided by a Lutheran minister in Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. John G. Bachman, whose daughters were the first wives of his two sons, John W. and Victor G. Audubon. In fact, John drew about half of the 150 folio animal plates, and Victor contributed by managing the sales and drawing many of the backgrounds.  An octavo edition was published in 1849.

Audubon was known as the American Woodsman. He spent days and weeks in the woods studying birds and animals, and his spectacular drawings remain today as an unmatched achievement by an American artist/naturalist.

Interest in Audubon's prints continues to escalate.  Several years ago a single print, Plate 431 - American Flamingo, brought $150,000 at auction, and in 2004 it brought $197,000.  While the top images command high prices, most of Audubon's folio bird prints fall below $10,000.  In 2004 both the Smithsonian and Audubon magazines published cover stories on Audubon.  In 2005 this interest was pushed forward again when the New York Historical Society exhibited fifty of his original watercolors in their gallery in New York.  The folio quadrupeds have also been at the forefront of American animal art and received much attention in the 2001 four-museum exhibition mounted by the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming.  Over thirty prints from our collection toured the nation with this exhibition.  Some of those exhibited are offered in our quadruped lists.  Finally, a new biography of Audubon by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Richard Rhodes, appeared last year, adding some new information to past works on America's premier nature artist.

The Birds of America, 1827-38 - Havell Edition

Audubon's 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.  These prints were engraved and hand-colored chiefly by Robert Havell in 87 numbers of five plates each.  W. H. Lizars of Edinburgh engraved the first ten plates in 1828, but Havell re-engraved some of these.  Havell then etched, aquatinted, engraved and handcolored the rest with a dated J. Whatman watermark on each sheet.  They measured approximately 26 x 39 inches.  When removed from the Audubon book, an inch or so was frequently trimmed away.  These prints are the "top of the line" of Audubons.  Experts estimate that about 180 complete folios were published, with 435 plates in each folio.  In a scholarly book on this subject published in 1973, the author could locate only 134 sets.  Thus, if you own one of these prints, you hold a very scarce item of Americana, as all but a small number of sets are institutionalized.

Plate 1 - WILD TURKEY - Hand-colored engraving by W. H. Lizars (Edinburgh), retouched by R. Havell, Jr. (London).  Third variant, with aquatint.  (Reference: A Guide to Audubon's Birds of America, Susanne M. Low, 2002, New Haven and New York.)  J. Whatman Turkey Mill watermark, 1825, on wove paper, measures 25 x 38 inches, excellent color.  SOLD

Plate 5 - BONAPARTE'S WARBLER (CANADA WARBLER) - With red magnolia seed pod.  A stunning print, full sheet, J. Whatman watermark.  One of ten that were engraved by W. H.  Lizars.  With custom rag French mat.  Framed.  $8,500

Plate 10 - BROWN LARK (WATER PIPIT) - A truly beautiful, unique piece of art.  This print has a deckle edge, never bound, measures 26 1/2 x 39 inches, J. Whatman Turkey Mill 1828 watermark, engraved by W. H. Lizars, printed and colored by Robert Havell, Sr.  Uniform creamy paper, as in Turkey Mill paper, one very minor corner repair.  Unique in that Plate No. "X" is in center, with No. 2 just to right of plate number.  Birds perched reaching for fly, with toadstools in foreground.  $2,750

Plate 15 - BLUE YELLOW-BACKED WARBLER (PARULA WARBLER) - Trimmed to near platemark, otherwise nice color and condition, very decorative.  $2,200

Plate 17 - CAROLINA TURTLE DOVE - Lovely impression of this important print of this common dove, now called the Mourning Dove.  Full sheet, excellent color.  $45,000  SOLD

Plate 19 - LOUISIANA WATER THRUSH - Very nice composition, striking red berries, J. Whatman watermark, measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches.  $3,750

Plate 23 - YELLOW-BREASTED WARBLER (COMMON YELLOWTHROAT) - Lovely image of this beautiful warbler with striking Silverbell flower in center of drawing.  Full sheet, J. Whatman watermark, 1831.  Second state of two, name changed from Maryland Yellowthroat.  $6,750

Plate 45 - TRAILL'S FLYCATCHER (WILLOW FLYCATCHER) - This interesting composition finds the bird perched atop a branch in a Sweetgum Tree.  Unusual full untrimmed sheet with J. Whatman 1831 watermark.  Second of two states.  $3,500

Plate 47 - RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD - Major print, measures 24 x 36 inches, J. Whatman watermark 1832, several minor margin tears repaired.  Excellent color.   $35,000

Plate 49 - BLUE-GREEN WARBLER (CERULEAN WARBLER)  - Very decorative image, bird in Spanish Mulberry, dated 1828, J. Whatman watermark, dated 1830, one of early plates engraved and colored by Robert Havell, Sr.  Several very small margin repairs, none visible from front.  In French mat, measures 26 1/2 x 39 1/2.  $6,500

Plate 53 - PAINTED FINCH (PAINTED BUNTING) - A major Audubon print, full sheet, J. Whatman watermark, high demand image of this bird whose numbers are declining rapidly.  $16,500

Plate 54 - RICE BIRD - Great image of Bobolink with colorful red maple flower pods.  $8,500

Plate 55 - CUVIER'S REGULUS (Golden-crowned Kinglet?) - One of Audubon's mystery birds, crown color of  Ruby-crowned Kinglet, head markings more like Golden-crowned Kinglet.  In beautiful Kalmia or Laurel bush.  Measures 21 1/4 x 29 1/4 inches.  J. Whatman 1833 watermark.  $3,200

Plate 68 - REPUBLICAN CLIFF SWALLOW - Birds shown on cliff walls and in nests with egg.  Measures 25 x 38 inches, with 1829 J. Whatman Turkey Mill watermark.  $4,200

Plate 83 - HOUSE WREN - Classic Audubon, wren nesting in hat, trimmed to 15 3/4 x 23 1/2 inches.  $3,750

Plate 87 - FLORIDA JAY - Brilliant color, two birds in Persimmon tree, second variant, J. Whatman watermark, 1832, measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches, top and bottom edges folded back at one time.  $18,000  SOLD

Plate 89 - NASHVILLE WARBLER  - Trimmed to 17 x 24 inches, nice color, watermark separate but accompanies print.  Faint discoloration.  $1,400

Plate 94 - BAY-WING BUNTING - Very decorative image.  Bay-wing Bunting on ground with Eastern Prickley Pear Cactus, trimmed to 16 x 24 inches, in French mat, dated 1830.   A lovely print.  $3,500

Plate 107 - CANADA JAY - Impressive print with birds near hornet's nest.  Measures 23 3/4 x 29 1/2 inches, dated 1831, London, with J. Whatman watermark.  Slight paper crease below upper leaves on right and below legend in lower right corner.  Margins good.  $4,700

Plate 112 - DOWNY WOODPECKER - Beautiful image of birds in tangled Cross Vine, full sheet, J. Whatman paper 1831, great color, with unobtrusive central horizontal fold.   $5,500

Plate 122 - BLUE GROSBEAK - Three birds with nest, in dogwood tree, on J. Whatman paper dated 1831, with unobtrusive central horizontal fold, with Japan rice paper backing, good colors, full sheet.   $4,750

Plate 122 - BLUE GROSBEAK (second copy) - Good color, measures 20 3/4 x 26 inches, three birds with nest.  $3,200

Plate 145 - YELLOW RED-POLL WARBLER (Palm Warbler) - Very decorative full sheet, birds in Southern Sneezeweed blooms, with J. Whatman Turkey Mill Watermark dated 1834.  Print dated 1832, measures 26 1/2 x 38 inches.  $4,500

Plate 162 - ZENAIDA DOVE - Full sheet, dated 1833, London, measures 25 x 38 inches, beautiful artistic composition with superb color. Top condition, with J. Whatman 1836 watermark.  SOLD

Plate 172 - BLUE-HEADED PIGEON - Beautiful landscape, drawn in Florida Keys, with wild poinsettia plant.  Now called Blue-headed Quail Dove.  Measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches.  Audubon drew these birds in 1832.  Found mainly in Cuba. In recent years has been seen again in Keys.  Dated 1833.  $12,500

Plate 173 - BARN SWALLOW - Nice copy of this popular image, with J. Whatman watermark dated 1833, full sheet.  $6,500

Plate 175 - NUTTALL'S LESSER MARSH WREN  (SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN) - Very nice, full sheet, unusual composition with much foliage.  J. Whatman watermark.  $5,750

Plate 177 - WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON - Very important and decorative print of this bird, now called White-crowned Pigeon.  Sparsely found in Everglades and Florida Keys in blooming Geiger-tree.  Measures 25 x 32 inches, dated 1833, J. Whatman watermark.  $9,500

Plate 179 - WOOD WREN (House Wren) - Very decorative print with red and blue berries, one bird on rock.   Measures    25 1/2 x 37 inches.  $6,500

Plate 187 - BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE - Birds shown in Live Oak, spectacular original color, stunning impact, in acid free French mat with grey, black margins, measures 21 1/4 x 27 1/2 inches.  J. Whatman 1834 watermark in upper right corner, dated 1834.  Although trimmed, a stunning work of art.  $6,750

Plate 192 - GREAT AMERICAN SHRIKE or BUTCHER BIRD - This print cleaned and restored, measures 21 1/4 x 27 1/2 inches.  J. Whatman watermark visible in upper left vertical margin, one 2 1/2 inch repair lower right margin, a few small margin repairs, dated 1843.  $3,750

Plate 215 - HYPERBOREAN PHALAROPE - Great action image of this shore bird, excellent color, measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches, J. Whatman watermark, 1834. $3,500

Plate 257 - DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT - Most common of east coast cormorants, J. Whatman watermark dated 1835, unobtrusive repaired margin tear.  Measures 25 1/2 x 36 inches.  $8,000

Plate 274 - SEMI-PALMATED SNIPE OR WILLET - Striking action scene in marsh with these common shore birds.  Dated 1835, laid down, measures 25 x 31 inches, chip in corner.  $3,750

Plate 280 - BLACK TERN - Two birds in flight, dated 1835, measures 20 1/4 x 26 1/2 inches.  $2,500

Plate 283 - WANDERING SHEARWATER - Full sheet, excellent color, J. Whatman watermark 1835, also dated on Havell credit line 1835.  With linen mat.  $3,500

Plate 287 - IVORY GULL - Excellent color, very decorative.  J. Whatman watermark, 20 x 29 inches.  Framed to look like painting  $3,750

Plate 288 - YELLOW SHANK (LESSER YELLOW LEGS) - Striking color, trimmed to plate mark, 16 x 22 inches, framed to look like watercolor.   View in South Carolina.  $6,500

Plate 296 - BARNACLE GOOSE - Powerful image of two geese confronting each other.  Full sheet, great color, J. Whatman watermark. Dated 1836.    $8,500  SOLD

Plate 298 - RED-NECKED GREBE - Splash of color and beauty.  Birders always see this bird in water, but Audubon drew them perched on land in breeding plumage - big feet and all.  Best color I have seen, great lake setting - a classic!  Full sheet, top condition, J. Whatman watermark.  $7,500

Plate 308 - TELL-TALE GODWIT (GREATER YELLOWLEGS) - Full sheet, J. Whatman watermark, excellent color, great landscape.  $12,000

Plate 353 -CHESTNUT-BACKED TITMOUSE (Chestnut-backed Chickadee), BLACK-CAPPED TITMOUSE (Black-capped Chickadee) AND CHESTNUT-CROWNED TITMOUSE (Bushtit) - Measures 25 x 38 inches, J. Whatman watermark 1837.  Very attractive composition with three species around long moss nest, dated 1837.   $6,500

Plate 355 - MACGILLIVRAY'S FINCH OR SEASIDE SPARROW - This declining species in nice composition with two butterflies.  Dated 1837, measures 20 x 29 1/2 inches, J. Whatman watermark upper right corner, date trimmed.  Very decorative.  $2,750

Plate 382 - SHARP-TAILED GROUSE - Full sheet, important western prairie game bird.  J. Whatman watermark, excellent condition, framed.  $18,500

Plate 388 - NUTTALL'S STARLING (Tri-colored Blackbird), YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL (Yellow-headed Blackbird) AND BULLOCK'S ORIOLE - Measures 22 3/4 x 37 inches, J. Whatman watermark, 1837.  Very interesting and colorful composition, dated 1837.  $3,750

Plate 390 - LARK FINCH (Lark Sparrow), PRAIRIE FINCH (Lark Bunting) and BROWN SONG SPARROW (Song Sparrow)  Measures 25 x 37 1/2 inches, 1837 J. Whatman watermark.  Dated 1837.  $2,750

Plate 392 - LOUISIANA HAWK (Harris Hawk) - Stunning rendition of this bird, great color, J. Whatman watermark, 1837, measures 26 x 38 inches.  $8,750

Plate 405 - SEMI-PALMATED SANDPIPER - Great shore bird composition, two birds with seashells along shore.  Full sheet, J. Whatman watermark.  Dated 1838.  $4,500

Plate 411 - COMMON AMERICAN SWAN - One of top ten images, stunning impact. Hand-colored aquatint and engraving with 1838 watermark, trimmed to image, backed with Japan paper, floated on mat, 22 1/2 x 35 3/4 inches.  Full sheet retail $100,000 plus.   $16,000  SOLD

Plate 414 - GOLDEN-WINGED and CAPE MAY WARBLERS - Two species, shown in Chapman Oak, full sheet with J. Whatman watermark, dated 1838.  $2,500

Plate 422 – ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON – Very powerful image, two birds in conflict, full sheet with J. Whatman watermark, excellent colors, dated 1838.  $8,500  SOLD

The Birds of America,1858-60 - Bien Edition

Full Sheet, One Drawing, 25 x 37 Inches | Full Sheet, Two Drawings, 25 x37 Inches | Half Sheet, One Drawing, 18 x 25 Inches

The Bien edition, issued by Audubon’s artist son, John W. Audubon, was the first attempt to reproduce the birds life-size.   It was undertaken by Julius Bien in New York as a chromolithographic work and involved the transfer of the images from the original plates to stones.  The outbreak of the Civil War prevented completion, and only 150 plates were produced by Bien during the years 1858, 59, and 60. 

The sheets with one image measure about 26 x 38 inches, the same size as the Havells.  However, instead of placing one small bird on a large sheet, two small images were printed on each sheet in the Bien edition.  This work was a major achievement in chromolithography at this time and the Biens are actually scarcer than the Havells, and of course all the work was done in America.  The exact number of the Bien editions is unknown, but it is thought to be between 50 and 100.

Listed below are those prints which consume a full sheet; later in the listing the double sheets with two images; and next, those small image sheets which have been halved.  The half-sheets are about 18 x 25 inches.  Further, the Biens have no watermark although in most cases Bien’s name appears on the print.

 

Full Sheet, One Drawing, 25 x 37 Inches

Plate 20 - GREAT-FOOTED HAWK - Very nice color, 3 inch repaired tear upper center margin, margins rough, mats up nicely.  $3,000

Plate 138 - MOCKINGBIRD - Important image with rattlesnake, nest, and Yellow Jessamine vine, some restoration, 24 x 36 inches good impact, dated 1860.  $6,500

Plate 141 – FERRUGINOUS THRUSH (BROWN THRASHER)  - Common yard bird, state bird of Georgia, with black snake in Black Jack oak defending nest.  Full sheet, dated 1860.  $5,500

Plate 216 - REDWING STARLING - Excellent  color and impression of this bird in budding Red maple, 26 1/2 x 38 1/2 inches.  One of the best of the Biens, dated 1860.  $6,500

Plate 217 - BALTIMORE ORIOLE - Excellent color and condition, measures 26 1/2 x 37 inches, dated 1860, with rag mat.   $8,500

Plate 220 - BOAT-TAILED GRACKLE - Great image of these birds in Live Oak with Spanish Moss.  Good color, dated 1860, measures 39 1/4 x 26 1/4 inches.  SOLD

Plate 221 - PURPLE GRACKLE - Birds in cornstalk, a famous Audubon image.  French mat.  $4,500

Plate 222 – RUSTY GRACKLE  – Excellent color and condition.  Four birds in Black Haw tree branch eating blueberries.  Full sheet.  $1,500 

Plate 226 – FISH CROW - Nice image of coastal crow in locust tree with crab.  Paper in good condition, full sheet, good color.  Dated 1860.  $3,500

Plate 244 - YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT - Striking composition with birds coming to nest in Virginia Rose bush, good condition, full sheet, 1860.  $5,500

Plate 253 – RUBY-THROATED HUMMINGBIRD – Nice colors, measures 25 ½ x 34 ¼ inches, great impact.  $6,500

Plate 273 – GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER – Full sheet, some margin damage, mat burn, one 2-inch tear, dated 1860.  $3,000  SOLD

Plate 287 -  WILD TURKEY (Male)  - Excellent impression of this important bird in giant cane field, dated 1858.   Audubon's signature image, full sheet, excellent color, some restoration, backed with Japan paper.  $22,500

Plate 288 - FISH HAWK or OSPREY - Excellent impression of this important and common bird.  Extra full sheet measures 26 1/2 x 39 inches, backed with Japan paper for conservation purposes.  Dated 1860.  $18,000

Plate 289 - VIRGINIA PARTRIDGE (COMMON QUAIL) - Dramatic image, some restoration - mainly along margins, good color, dated 1860, measures 26 x 38 inches.  $16,000

Plate 363 - BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON - Great full sheet with landscape, also shows Atamasco Lily, 1860.  SOLD

Plate 371 - REDDISH EGRET - Major image of this important bird, good condition and color.  $16,000

Plate 372 - BLUE CRANE OR LITTLE BLUE HERON - Nice impression and color, some margin restoration, view near Charleston, SC. Measures 24 1/2 x 34 inches.  $7,500

Plate 375 - AMERICAN FLAMINGO - One of Audubon's signature images, extra full sheet measures 26 1/4 x 39 1/2 inches. Some very minor margin repairs, left sheet side shows sewing holes where disbound from book.  A very important image.  $45,000

Plate 380 - WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE - Wide spread goose, typical Audubon pose, dated 1860.  $5,500

Plate 385 – MALLARD DUCK – Major plate in Audubon collections, nice colors, full sheet.  Dated 1859, in handsome frame.   $16,000  SOLD

Plate 388 - GADWALL DUCK - Full sheet, great color and condition, beautifully framed with linen mat, formerly in the Russell B. Aitken Collection of Wildlife Art and Sculpture.  $4,800

Plate 391 - WOOD DUCK - Important image, good color, trimmed, restoration, excellent registration, dated 1860.  $6,500  SOLD

Plate 395 - CANVAS-BACKED DUCK - Great color, important image with Baltimore skyline in background.  Dated 1860.  $9,500

Plate 405 - EIDER DUCK - Dramatic composition of two male ducks fighting, with female in nest.  Full sheet, very good color.  $5,200 SOLD

Plate 414 - SMEW OR WHITE NUN - Great color.  Repaired margin tear.  Dated 1860.   $3,950

Plate 423 - BROWN PELICAN - Major image, great color, dated 1860.  $18,000

Plate 465 - GREAT AUK - Extensive margin tears and paper losses, mats up nicely, dated 1860.    SOLD

 Back to Top

 Full Sheet, Two Drawings, 25 x 37 inches

Plates 82, 239 - PINE CREEPING WARBLER and SOLITARY FLYCATCHER and VIREO - Unobtrusive crease, nice otherwise.  $750

Plates 150, 151 – PRAIRIE AND BROWN TITLARKS – Vertical double, with French mat, good condition and color.  Dated  1860.  $1,200

Plates 173, 174 - MACGILLIVRAY'S FINCH AND SHARP-TAILED FINCH - Two images with interesting foliage and background.  $1,800

Plates 192, 191 – WHITE-CROWNED AND WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS – Excellent pairing, repaired margin tears, one into image of left bird.  Small right corner crease.  Colors excellent.  Double mat.  Dated 1860. SOLD

Plates 240, 243 - WHITE-EYED and RED-EYED VIREOS - Very nice double plate, now scarce.  $950

 Back to Top

 Half Sheet, One Drawing, 18 x 25 inches

Plate 44 - AMERICAN SWIFT - Matted .  $300

Plate 48 - REPUBLICAN OR CLIFF SWALLOW - Birds in clay nests.  $350

Plate 88 (89) - YELLOW-POLL WARBLER (YELLOW WARBLER) - Very nice impression, with blue Atlantic wisteria.  $750

Plate 89 - RATHBONE'S WARBLER (YELLOW WARBLER) - Very decorative image with yellow/red blooms of cross-vine.  $750  (Plates 88 and 89 are vertical and if placed side by side would make a striking horizontal display.  $1,400 for both)

Plate 104 - SWAINSON'S WARBLER - With Wild Orange Azalea and butterfly.  $1,800

Plate 114 - BLACK AND WHITE CREEPER - Very nice condition and registration.  $450  SOLD

Plate 120  - HOUSE WREN - Bird nest in hat, a famous Audubon image.   $650

Plate 120 - HOUSE WREN (second copy) - Classic Audubon, crease across top of print.  $450

Plates 121, 116 - WINTER AND ROCK WREN - Nice composition, four birds pictured from two species, a rare print in a half sheet.  $550

Plate 124 - NUTTALL'S LESSER MARSH WREN - Worm damage.  $450

Plate 132 - AMERICAN GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN - Trimmed.  $350

Plate 157 - BAY-WING BUNTING - Excellent color.   $650

Plate 177 - LINCOLN FINCH - Very decorative, nice color.  $850

Plate 192 – WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW – French mat and period frame.  $950

Plate 245 – BOHEMIAN CHATTERER – Mat burn.  $450

Plate 308 – YELLOW-BREASTED RAIL – Charming image, margin losses, French mat.  $750

Plate 332 - PECTORAL SANDPIPER - Image tear.  $350

Plate 343 - SOLITARY SANDPIPER - Bottom half sheet with credit line showing Audubon and Bien.  $1,250

Plate 434 - ARCTIC TERN - Great color, mat burn.  Dated 1860.  $1,600

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 The Birds of America, Royal Octavo Edition

Following the success of his large folio, Audubon offered his birds in a miniature or Royal Octavo Edition which was lithographed and hand-colored in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during 1840-44 by J.T. Bowen.  These prints are originals, and Audubon issued the prints in a series by species.  They were issued in 100 parts of 5, and eventually the customer subscriber bound them into 7 volumes of books.  Audubon based these prints on his folio drawings but often varied them due to the smaller images.  Each plate contains a single species and in some cases he offered two plates of the same species, usually to show the young and the adult birds, as in the Brown Pelican plates.  He also added some new species which had been discovered out West and had not reached him in time to be included in the folio work.   These prints represent some of the finest hand-coloring work done in America and they are greatly prized by print collectors.  The prints measure about six and one-half by ten inches.  The prints offered below are in excellent condition.  A ten-day return policy is offered on all sales.

In 1993 a book on the octavo edition titled Audubon's Great National Work, The Royal Octavo Edition of the Birds of America, was authored by Ron Tyler and published by the University of Texas Press.  It is a valuable resource for octavo print collectors, but is out of print and very scarce.  I have a few copies listed under "Some Interesting Natural History Collectibles."

As a note of interest, each print includes a statement of authorship in the lower left-hand corner, i.e., Drawn from Nature by J. J. Audubon,  F.R.S.F.L.S. -  the initials standing for Fellow, Royal Society; Fellow, Linnean Society.  These were the two top natural history societies in England at the time Audubon published his bird folio.  The name of J. T. Bowen, the lithographer, is printed in the lower right hand corner of the print.  Often the initials of the artist who traced the drawing onto the lithographic stone are placed in the print just below the center of the drawing.  Because of the volume of the work, Bowen sent a few of the plates to Endicott, an outstanding lithographer in New York, and Endicott's name appears on those plates.

We are also offering a few of the later plates.  While the 1856 edition is the true second edition, the plates of this edition and several others up to 1870 are mostly identical.  The "second edition" prints offered in this catalog are from all later editions and are of exceptional color and cleanliness.  They have printed colors as well as hand coloring.  Priced below the first edition, they represent a fine antique American print and are most collectible.  With only a few exceptions, the images are identical to those of the 1840-44 edition and most of the plates are distinguished by a square or vertical background color, and in some cases light background coloring.

Listed below are samples of prints available from our inventory of First Edition and "later edition" prints.  If an image your are looking for is not listed, please let me know.

FIRST EDITION

2          Red-headed Turkey Vulture  $100

3          Black Vulture  100

4          Caracara Eagle (Crested Caracara)  250

5          Harris Buzzard  250

6         Common Buzzard (Swainson's Hawk)    300

8          Harlan's Hawk (Red-tail Hawk)   200

9          Red-shouldered Hawk  900

10        Broad-winged Hawk  300

11        Rough-legged Hawk  100

12       Golden Eagle  500

14       American Bald Eagle  1500

16       Black-shouldered Kite  100

17       Mississippi Kite  `125

21       Pigeon Falcon  200

22       Sparrow Hawk  900

23      Goshawk  350

25      Sharp-shinned Hawk  150

26      Common Harrier  125

30      Columbian Day Owl  150

32      Tengmalm's Night Owl (Boreal Owl)  150

40      Screech Owl  700

41      Chuck-will's Widow  450

42      Whip-poor-will  950

43      Night-hawk  700

44       American Swift  100

47       Cliff Swallow  100

48      Barn Swallow  800

49      Violet-green Swallow  200

50      Bank Swallow  150

51       Rough-winged Swallow  100

52       Fork-tailed Flycatcher  950

54      Arkansas Flycatcher (Western Kingbird) 200

55      Piping Flycatcher (Gray Kingbird)  200

56      Tyrant Flycatcher (Eastern Kingbird)  350

57      Great-crested Flycatcher  150

60       Rocky Mountain Flycatcher (Black Phoebe)  100

61       Short-legged Pewit Flycatcher (Alder Flycatcher)  100

63       Peewee Flycatcher (Eastern Phoebe)  150

64      Wood Peewee  125

65      Traill's Flycatcher  100

66      Least Peewee  100

68       American Redstart  400

69      Townsend's Solitaire  125

72       Canada Flycatcher (Canada Warbler)  400

73       Bonaparte's Flycatching Warbler (Canada Warbler)  600

75       Wilson's Flycatching Warbler  200

76      Yellow-crowned Warbler  200

77       Audubon's Wood Warbler (Yellow-rumped Warbler)  450

79       Yellow-throated Wood Warbler  250

80       Bay-breasted Wood Warbler  350

81       Chestnut-sided Wood Warbler (crease) 75

82       Pine-creeping Wood Warbler  200

83       Hemlock Warbler (Blackburnian Warbler)  375

84       Black-throated Green Wood Warbler  250

86       Cerulean Warbler (bottom) 125

88       Yellow-poll Wood Warbler  (Yellow Warbler)  250

89       Rathbone's Wood Warbler (Yellow Warbler)  200

90       Yellow Red-poll Wood Warbler (Palm Warbler)  300

91       Blue Yellow-backed Wood Warbler (Northern Parula Warbler)  350

92       Townsend's Wood Warbler  150

93       Hermit Wood Warbler  200

94       Black-throated Gray Wood Warbler  150

95       Black-throated Blue Wood Warbler  (2)  350

96       Black and Yellow Wood Warbler (Magnolia Warbler)  600

97       Prairie Wood Warbler  200

98       Blue Mountain Warbler (?)  100

99       Connecticut Warbler  350

100    Macgillivray's Ground  Warbler  100

101     Mourning Ground Warbler   200

102     Maryland Ground Warbler (Common Yellowthroat)  250

103     Delafield's Ground Warbler (Common Yellowthroat)  150

104    Swainson's Warbler  350

105     Worm-eating Swamp Warbler  250

106     Prothonotary Swamp Warbler  300

107     Golden-winged Swamp Warbler  200

108     Bachman's Warbler (Extinct)  900

109     Carbonated Swamp Warbler  320

110     Tennessee Swamp Warbler  150

111    Blue-winged Yellow Swamp Warbler (Blue-winged Warbler)  400

112     Orange-crowned Swamp Warbler  150

113     Nashville Swamp Warbler  250

114    Black and White Warbler  150

115    Brown-tree Creeper (Brown Creeper)  150

116    Rock Wren  150

117    Great Carolina Wren  900

118    Bewick's Wren  100

120    House Wren  400

122    Parkman's Wren (Marsh Wren)  100

124    Short-billed Marsh Wren (Sedge Wren)  250

125    Crested Titmouse (Tufted Titmouse)  500

126    Black-cap Titmouse (Chickadee)  550

127    Carolina Titmouse  250

128    Hudson Bay Titmouse (Boreal Chickadee)  250

129    Chestnut-backed Titmouse (Chickadee)  125

130    Chestnut-crowned Titmouse (Bushtit)  250

131    Cuvier's Kinglet (?)  200

132    American Golden-crested Kinglet  400

133    Ruby-crowned Kinglet  500

135    Western Bluebird  600

136    Arctic Bluebird (Mountain Bluebird)  350

137    American Dipper  125

138    Mockingbird  900

139    Mountain Mockingbird (Sage Thrasher)  100

140    Catbird  400

142    American Robin or Migratory Thrush  1,750

144    Wood Thrush  300

147    Dwarf Thrush (Hermit Thrush)  200

148    Golden-crowned Wagtail (Ovenbird)  300         

149    Aquatic Wood Wagtail (Northern Waterthrush)  300

150    Pipit or Titlark (Water Pipit)  100

151    Shore Lark (Horned Lark)  150

152    Lapland Lark Bunting (Longspur)  200

153    Painted Lark Bunting (Smith's Longspur)  125 

155    Snow Lark Bunting  200

156    Black-throated Bunting (Dickcissel)  200

158    Lark Bunting (Lark Sparrow)  75

159    Bay-winged Bunting (Vesper Sparrow)  300

160    Savannah Bunting (Savannah Sparrow)  300

161    Clay-colored Bunting (Brewer's Sparrow)  100

162    Yellow-wing Bunting (Grasshopper Sparrow)  200

165    Chipping Bunting (Chipping Sparrow)  200

167    Common Snow Bird (Dark-eyed Junco)  200

168    Oregon Snow Bird (Dark-eyed Junco)  300

171    Lazuli Finch (Lazuli Bunting)  350

172    Seaside Finch (Seaside Sparrow)  500

173    Macgillivray's Shore Finch (Seaside Sparrow)  175

174    Sharp-tailed Finch (Sparrow)  300

175    Swamp Sparrow  175

180    Pine Linnet (Pine Siskin)  150

182    Black-headed Goldfinch (Black-headed Siskin)  100

185    Stanley Goldfinch (Black-capped Siskin)  100

186    Fox-colored Finch (Sparrow)  200

187    Brown Finch (Fox Sparrow)  50

188    Townsend's Finch (Song Sparrow)  50

189    Song Sparrow  150

192    White-crowned Finch (White-crowned Sparrow)  250

195    Rufus-sided Towhee (Western Towhee)  350

197    Crimson-fronted Purple Finch (House Finch)  300

198    Grey-crowned Purple Finch (Gray-crowned Rosy Finch)  200

199    Common Pine Finch (Grosbeak)  300

200    Common Crossbill (Red Crossbill)  150

201 - White-wing Crossbill  350

202    Prairie Lark Finch (Lark Bunting)  100

203    Cardinal Grosbeak  2,500

204    Blue-song Grosbeak  350

205    Rose-breasted Grosbeak  600

206    Black-headed Song Grosbeak  250

208    Summer Red-bird  750

210    Louisiana Tanager (Western Tanager)  425

211    Wandering Rice Bird (Bobolink)  250

212    Cowbird  100

213    Saffron-headed Marsh Blackbird (Yellow-headed Blackbird)  200

214    Red-and-white-shouldered Blackbird (Tricolored Blackbird)  200

215    Red and Black-shouldered Marsh Blackbird (Red-winged Blackbird)  250

218    Bullock's Troopial (Bullock's Oriole)  300

220    Boat-tailed Grackle  350

221    Purple Crow Blackbird (Common Grackle)  450

223    Meadowlark  950

224    Raven  900

225    American Crow  450

226    Fish Crow  250

227    Common Magpie (Black-billed Magpie)  250

228    Yellow-billed Magpie  300

229    Columbia Magpie or Jay (Magpie Jay)  500

230    Steller's Jay  300

232    Ultramarine Jay (Scrub Jay)  150

234    Canada Jay (Gray Jay) 300

235    Clark's Nutcracker  200

236    Great American Shrike (Northern Shrike)  125

237    Loggerhead Shrike  100

238    Yellow-throated Vireo (Greenlet)  150

239    Solitary Vireo (Blue-headed Vireo)  125

240    White-eyed Vireo  150

242    Bartram's Vireo (Red-eyed Vireo)  150

243    Red-eyed Vireo  250

244    Yellow-breasted Chat  900

245    Black-throated Waxwing (Bohemian Waxwing)  250

246    Cedar Bird (Cedar Waxwing)  450

247    White-breasted Nuthatch  400

247    White-breasted Nuthatch  325

250    California Nuthatch (Pygmy Nuthatch)  75

251    Mango Hummingbird (Black-throated Hummingbird)  750

252    Anna's Hummingbird  450

254    Ruff-necked Hummingbird (Rufus Hummingbird)  450

255    Belted Kingfisher  1200

257    Pileated Woodpecker  1450

258    Canadian Woodpecker (Hairy Woodpecker)  100

259    Phillips'  Woodpecker (Hairy Woodpecker)  100

260    Maria's Woodpecker (Hairy Woodpecker)  100

262    Hairy Woodpecker  200

265    Audubon's Woodpecker  200

266    Red-breasted Woodpecker (Red-breasted Sapsucker)  200

268    Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker (Black-backed Woodpecker) 250

269    Banded Three-toed Woodpecker (Three-toed Woodpecker)  125

271    Red-headed Woodpecker  1200

272    Lewis's Woodpecker  350

274    Red-shafted Woodpecker (Northern Flicker)  350

275    Yellow-billed Cuckoo  350

276    Black-billed Cuckoo  350

277    Mangrove Cuckoo  350

278    Carolina Parrot  3,750

281    Zenaida Dove  350

282    Key West Dove (Key West Quail Dove)  425

284    Blue-headed Ground Dove or Pigeon (Quail Dove)  200

286    Carolina Turtle Dove  1500

287    Wild Turkey  3000

288    Turkey (Hen)  2000

289    Common American Partridge (Northern Bobwhite) 750

290    California Partridge (California Quail)  550

291    Plumed Partridge (Mountain Quail)  300

292    Welcome Partridge (Crested Bobwhite)  100

293    Ruffed Grouse  650

295    Dusky Grouse (Blue Grouse)  250

297    Cock-of-the-Plains (Sage Grouse)  250

298    Sharp-tailed Grouse  250

300    American Ptarmigan (Rock Ptarmigan)  250

301    Rock Ptarmigan  200

302    White-tailed Ptarmigan  300

303    Purple Gallinule  300

306    Sora Rail  150

307    Yellow-breasted Rail (Yellow Rail)  150

308    Least Water Rail (Black Rail)  150

311    Virginian Rail  200

312    Scolopaceous Courlan (Limpkin)  125

313    Whooping Crane  900

314    Whooping Crane (Sandhill Crane)  700

315    Black-bellied Plover  150

316    American Golden Plover  150

318    Rocky Mountain Plover (Mountain Plover)  100

319    Wilson's Plover  150

320    American Ring Plover  150

322    Townsend's Surfbird (Surfbird)  100

323    Turnstone (Ruddy Turnstone)  200

326    Townsend's Oystercatcher (Black Oystercatcher)  125

328    Red-breasted Sandpiper (Red Knot)  150

329    Pectoral Sandpiper  125

330    Purple Sandpiper  125

331    Buff-breasted Sandpiper  150

333    Curlew Sandpiper  100

334    Long-legged Sandpiper (Stilt Sandpiper)  100

335    Schinz's Sandpiper (White-rumped Sandpiper)  150

336    Semi-palmated Sandpiper  200

338    Sanderling Sandpiper  150

339    Red Phalarope  200

341    Wilson's Phalarope  150

342    Spotted Sandpiper  200

343    Solitary Sandpiper  200

344    Yellowshanks Snipe (Lesser Yellowlegs)  450

347    Willet  250

348    Great Marbled Godwit  150

349    Hudsonian Godwit  100

350    Wilson's Snipe (Common Snipe)  400

351    Red-breasted Snipe (Short-billed Dowitcher)  125

353    American Avocet  250

354    Black--necked Stilt  250

356    Hudsonian Curlew (Whimbrel)  200

357    Esquimaux Curlew (Eskimo Curlew) 150

359    Scarlet Ibis  800

363    Black-crowned Night Heron  750

364    Yellow-crowned Night Heron  650

365    American Bittern  200

366    Least Bittern  200

369    Great Blue Heron  3500

371    Reddish Egret  1,200

378    Barnacle Goose  200

379    Brant Goose  300

380    White-fronted Goose (Greater White-fronted Goose)  350

381    Snow Goose  350

382    Trumpeter Swan  1200

383    Trumpeter Swan (young)  (Tundra Swan)  450

384    American Swan  1000

385    Mallard    1250

387    Brewer's Duck (Mallard/Gadwall-hybrid)  350

388    Gadwall Duck  250

389    American Widgeon  350

390    Pintail Duck (Northern Pintail)  450

391    Wood Duck  2,750

393    Blue-winged Teal  450

394    Shoveller Duck  950

395    Canvas-back Duck  1,500

397    Scaup Duck (Greater Scaup)  350

398    Ring-necked Duck  300

400    Pied Duck (Labrador Duck - extinct)  300

401    Velvet Duck (White-winged Scoter)  125

402    Black or Surf Duck (Surf Scoter)  125

403    American Scoter Duck (Black Scoter)  100

404    King Duck (King Eider)  550

405    Eider Duck (Common Eider)  750

407    Western Duck (Steller's Eider)  150

408    Buffel-headed Duck  $425

409    Harlequin Duck  350

410    Long-tailed Duck (Oldsquaw)  400

411    Buff-breasted Merganser (Common Merganser)  750

414    White Merganser Smew (Smew)  250

415    Common Cormorant (top)  50

417    Florida Cormorant  350

418    Townsend's Cormorant (Brandt's cormorant)  125

419    Violet-green Cormorant (Pelagis Cormorant)  100

420    Anhinga  750

421    Frigate Pelican (Magnificent Frigatebird)  300

422    American White Pelican  1750

425    Common Gannet (Northern Gannet)  300

426    Booby Gannet (Brown Booby)  325

427    Tropic Bird (White-tailed Tropicbird)  200

429     Cayenne Tern  450  

430    Gull-billed Tern  125

431    Sandwich Tern  600

433    Common Tern  400

434    Havell's Tern (Forster's Tern)  200

436    Arctic Tern  500

438    Black Tern  125

440    Noddy Tern  125

441    Fork-tailed Gull (Sabine's Gull)  125

444    Kittiwake Gull  125

445    Ivory Gull  100

446    Common or Ring-billed Gull  300

447    White-winged Silvery Gull (Iceland Gull)  125

448    Herring Gull  350

450    Great Black-backed Gull  125

451    Pomerine Jager  125

452    Richardson's Jager (Parasitic Jager)  125

453    Arctic Jager (long-tailed Jager)  250

454    Dusky Albatross (Light-mantled Albatross  125

455    Fulmar Petrel (Northern Fulmar)  125

456    Wandering Shearwater (Greater Shearwater)  125

457    Manks Shearwater (Manx Shearwater)  100

458    Dusky Shearwater (Audubon's Shearwater)  125

459    Leach's or Fork-tail Petrel (Leach's Storm Petrel)  100

460    Wilson's Petrel (Wilson's Storm Petrel)  100

461    Least Petrel - Mother Carey's Chicken  125

464    Common or Arctic Puffin (Atlantic Puffin)  1200

466    Razor-billed Auk (Razorbill)  150

467    Curled-crested Phaleris (Crested Auklet)  150

468    Knobbed-billed Phaleris (Least Auklet)  150

469    Little Auk or Sea Dove (Dovekie)  150

470    Black-throated Guillemot (Ancient Murrelet)  125

471    Horned-billed Guillemot (Rhinoceros Auklet)  125

472    Long-billed Guillemot (Thick-billed Murre)  125

473     Foolish Guillemot-Murre (Common Murre)  150

474    Black Guillemot  125

475    Slender-billed Guillemot (Marbled Murrelet)  125

477    Black-throated Diver (Arctic Loon)  650

479    Crested Grebe  200

480    Red-necked Grebe  250

482    Eared Grebe  75

484    Harris' Finch (Harris' Sparrow)  200

486    Sprague's Missouri Lark (Sprague's Pipit)  150

487    Smith's Lark Bunting (Smith's Longspur)  150

488    LeConti's Sharp Tail Bunting (LeConte's Sparrow)  400

489    Missouri Meadowlark (Western Meadowlark)  350

491    Least Flycatcher  450

492    Brewer's Blackbird  150

493    Shattuck's Bunting (Clay-colored Sparrow) 100

494    Missouri Red-moustached Woodpecker (Northern Flicker)  150

495    Nuttall's Whip-poor-will (Common Poorwill)  150

496    Texan Turtle Dove (White-winged Dove)   250

498    Common Scaup Duck (Greater Scaup)  300

499    Common Troupial  450

500    Baird's Bunting (Baird's Sparrow)  150

 

SECOND  EDITIONS

12      Golden Eagle  200

19       Iceland or Gyr Falcon  250

38       Short-eared Owl  150

43       Night Hawk  125

70       Blue-gray Flycatcher  75

90       Black and Yellow Wood Warbler  200

96       Black and Yellow Wood Warbler  150

108    Bachman's Swamp Warbler  350

111    Blue-wing Yellow Warbler  150

115    Brown Tree Creeper  75

116    Rock Wren  125

117    Great Carolina Wren  350

120    House Wren  150

127    Carolina Titmouse  125

132    American Golden-crowned Kinglet  125

138    Mockingbird  350

144    Wood Thrush  100

189    Song Finch  100

203    Cardinal  450

220    Boat-tail Grackle  125

229    Columbia Magpie Jay  250

230    Steller's Jay  100

231    Blue Jay  300

241    Yellow-breasted Chat  150

243    Red-eyed Vireo  100

248    Red-bellied Nuthatch  125

254    Ruff-necked Hummingbird  200

256    Ivory-billed Woodpecker  450

257    Pileated Woodpecker  450

267    Yellow-bellied Woodpecker  125

271    Red-headed Woodpecker  150

272    Lewis' Woodpecker   125

279    Band-tailed Dove or Pigeon  150

280    White-headed Dove  350

283    Ground Dove  100

287    Wild Turkey (Male)  950

293    Ruffed Grouse  300

296    Pinnated Grouse (Greater Prairie Chicken)  250

303    Purple Gallinule  150

304    Common Gallinule  125

317    Kildeer Plover  100

320    Ring Plover  125

340    Hyperborean Phalarope  75

342    Spotted Sandpiper  100

344    Yellow Shanks Snipe (Lesser Yellowlegs)  250

345    Tell-tale Godwit (Greater Yellowlegs)  250

346    Greenshank (St. Augustine)  250

347    Willet  100

348    Marbled Godwit  100

352    American Woodcock  250

355    Long-billed Curlew  400

359    Scarlet Ibis  250

370    American White Egret (Great Egret)  350

382    Trumpeter Swan  225

384    American Swan  250

386    Dusky or Black Duck  150

392    Green Wing Teal  150

395    Canvas-back Duck  350

397    Scaup Duck  125

398    Ring-neck Duck  125

399    Ruddy Duck  100

404    King Duck  125

405    Eider Duck  200

406    Golden-eye Duck  150

412    Red-breasted Merganser  200

448    Herring Gull  150

465    Great Auk  350

477    Black-throated Diver  250

478    Red-throated Diver  150

485    Bell's Vireo  150

490    Yellow-bellied Flycatcher  125

 

INJURED BIRDS

The following prints are cropped close, top or bottom, but mat up nicely, especially those with cropping only at the top.  Note cropped area indicated after title of the print.  Subject to your approval, of course.

19       Gyr Falcon (trimmed)  175

21       Pigeon Hawk (top)  75

72      Canada Warbler (bottom)  50

73       Bonaparte's Flycatcher Warbler  (Canada Flycatcher) (bottom)   50

74       Kentucky Warbler (bottom)  50

77      Audubon's Warbler (Yellow-rumped Warbler) (bottom)  50

81      Chestnut-sided Wood Warbler (crease)  75

86      Cerulean Warbler (bottom)  125

113    Nashville Warbler (bottom)  75

120    House Wren (slight crease) 100

144    Wood Thrush (bottom)  50

163    Henslow's Bunting (Henslow's Sparrow) (bottom)  50

164    Field Bunting (Field Sparrow) (bottom) 150

209    Scarlet Tanager (bottom) 250

296    Pinnated Grouse (Prairie Chicken) (top)  75

310    Clapper Rail (top)  50

341    Wilson's Phalarope (top)  35

365    American Bittern (crease)  75

385    Mallard Duck (trimmed)  275

402    Black or Surf Duck (Surf Scoter) (top)  50

415    Common Cormorant (top)  50

428    Black Skimmer (top)  75

431    Sandwich Tern (top)  125

442    Bonaparte's Gull (top)  50

459    Leach's Petrel (Leach's Storm Petrel) (top)  50

465    Greater Auk (top)  150

490    Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (bottom)  50 

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The Birds of America, Amsterdam Edition

In 1971-72 the first complete edition of Audubon's great work, The Birds of America, was published in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, using the original folio copy sold by Audubon to the Teyler Museum in the early 1800's. This project was supervised by an international panel of noted ornithologists and Audubon experts.  Since it was the first complete reprint of Audubon's magnificent double elephant folio, it is sometimes referred to as the Second Edition of Audubon's birds.

The images drawn by Audubon were printed on 100% cotton watermarked paper, with plate marks.  The watermark on the long side of the sheet reads "G. Schut & Zonen Audubon" in recognition of the mill which produced this fine paper.

We offer a complete set of these prints and list below a selection of the 435 plates.  In our pricing we have attempted to match or fall below the market.

All About Audubons

The most frequent question I get about Audubon is from the individual who has an Audubon print and is trying to determine if it is an original.  To be authentic and in its original condition, the Havell series must measure about 27 x 38 inches, have a plate mark, depict the bird life-size, and have a J. Whatman watermark along the long edge of the sheet.  Sometimes this watermark is cut away and the larger size paper is trimmed to the platemark.

In such cases a magnification loupe must be used to determine if the work is an engraving, lithograph or offset color reprint.  The Havell engraving will appear without the offset pattern seen on lithographs.

Many thousands of Audubon prints have been reprinted over the years as the work is without copyright.  Most of these reproductions are photos of an original, thus they have the plate numbers and Audubon's and Havell's names just as the originals.  Of course, if somewhere on the bottom of the print it reads "copyright", "printed by" or "courtesy of" then it is not an original.

Throughout the catalog I have attempted to describe each series. The Havell and Bowen (Royal Octavo) prints are the only original series issued by Audubon during his lifetime.  The Bien edition is very important, as it was issued by his sons.  The later editions of the Bowen miniature series are all antique prints, and very nice and collectible, but not originals as in the case of the first edition which was completely handcolored.

Another factor to consider is the condition of the print.  If the print is trimmed, the colors are faded, the paper contains tears, stains or foxing, then the value of the print falls in relation to these conditions.  Since the Havells are 150 years old, such problems are all too common.

The best way to begin collecting is to read about the artist and his works.  In Audubon's case, you are lucky as his life took place in an exciting period of America's early history.  Many books have been written about Audubon and his own writings in the bird biographies, journals and letters are a relatively undiscovered national treasure.  In 1985 a number of special Audubon exhibitions were held around the country, a commemorative postage stamp was issued, and Audubon's life and works were featured in numerous magazines.  This observance, the 200th anniversary of his birth, focused attention on Audubon's life and art.

While the scarcity of Audubons limits their availability in the print trade, you will find it entertaining to drop in to print or antique shops in search of Audubons.  Prices will vary as condition varies with the particular print a key factor.  For instance, everyone wants the Cardinal or Blue Heron, so the price is quite a bit higher than the prints of the Arctic Jaeger or the Fork-tailed Gull.  Good Hunting!

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AUDUBON'S FIFTY BEST WATERCOLORS

New York Historical Society Edition

In 2006 the New York Historical Society and Joel Oppenheimer, Inc. announced the publication of a selection of the images from John James Audubon's original watercolors.  Fifty watercolors were selected and printed, using the highest resolution scans available today.  The result was a stunning impression which captures even the brush strokes on some of these one-of-a-kind works of art.  Among the fifty chosen were several images not included in the Birds of America, such as unpublished compositions of the Great Egret, American White Pelican, Blue Heron and Black-bellied Darter. 

The Society acquired these watercolors from Mrs. Audubon in 1863, during the height of the Civil War.  One or two of the watercolors is usually on display  there, and in recent years there has also been an exhibition of fifty of these treasures in the spring titled Audubon's Aviary. Viewing these originals by Audubon is an experience you will not soon forget, and a must for any serious Audubon print collector.

All of the facsimiles were printed on Somerset velvet, an acid-free cotton-rag paper imported from England.  Each image is individually sized to match the exact size of the original painting.  Printed withwatercolors, these artworks directly capture the artist's hand and fundamental vision. The back of each print is numbered and has the stamped signature of the President of the Society.  The front of each print is embossed  with the Oppenheimer Edition's and the New York Society stamp.  The edition is limited to 200 each.

The sets are available at $37,500.  That price and those of individual images is subject to change as the scarcity of the images increases.  Individual prices follow: