Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner inc. Vintage book 1950 audubons birds of america popular. Audubon bird prints, vintage art page 9 charting nature a computer programme says these are the. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. Audubon the birds of america hardcover published by crown hardcover, 124 pages authors.
The original double elephant folio edition has 435 handcolored prints of engravings made from audubons original paintings. Useful article detailing the numerous reproductions of audubons artwork. Other articles where the birds of america is discussed. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. It is a collection of over 200 paintings of birds by audubon. 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. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high prices. Audubon created a genre of illustration that didnt exist before.
Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan. Buy the birds of america complete ed of audubons classic work by john james audubon isbn. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubons work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. Buy the birds of america complete ed of audubon s classic work by john james audubon isbn. John james audubgon was born april 26, 1785 at aux cayes, the son of a french naval officer. Audobons birds of america popular edition hardcover 1950 by ludlow griscom author 4. John james audubons most popular book is birds of america. Sep 10, 2010 john james audubon s birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. Havell, bien, octavo birds of america, octavo quadrupeds of north america quads, imperial folio viviparous quadrupeds of north america, and these modern audubon editions.
Vintage massachusetts audubon bulletin magazine booklets 1950s nature birds. A beautifully illustrated volume by john james audubon titled the birds of america the macmillan company, new york, 1953 with a foreword and descriptive captions by william vogt. The back has a wonderful story about the birds written by roger tory peterson. Even if you dont fancy printing these gorgeous paintings, the site also features a zoom function on the image which allows you to see the tiny details of each bird, which you can sort alphabetically or. Audubons birds of america popular edition hardcover 1950 by ludlow audubon, john james. Up for sale vintage audubon single print entitled mourning dove. Audobons birds of america popular edition hardcover 1950.
Very good cover, spine, closed gutters, and well attached pages. It was published in 1950 and i like to call it a poor mans book, you get the same. The birds of america by john james audubon is one of the best known and most valuable natural history books every published. Jan 20, 2014 in 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. Copies of john james audubons two masterworks, consigned by the indiana historical society, will be auctioned by sothebys on 1 april 2014. The birds of america by john audubon 1953 printing. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. The audubon house marks the beginning of the restoration movement in key west. Audubons birds of america popular edition 1950 macmillan. 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. Birds of america is one of the best known natural history books ever produced and also one of the most valuable a complete set sold at auction in december. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubon s work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for. In 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. 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. Audubons birds of america popular edition by audubon, john james. This book was printed from entirely new plates and was published in march of 1953. Audubons birds of america popular edition audubon, john james. Jan 09, 2012 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.
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. The story behind john james audubons birds of america. Dowd, author of a new book, audubon s sparrow, tells the audubons story in the time leading up to the publication of birds of america. The plates are printed on standard paper and not slick but have held the colors well over the years. Famous for his exquisite drawings of birds in their natural habitat, audubon stayed in the home in 1832.
Vintage the birds of america john james audubon ruffed grouse plate. There are 435 brilliant color images from the birds of america on the audubon society website, each with the accompanying text from the book. Rare copy of audubons birds of america for sale science. The birds of america by john james audubon in pictures.
John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1953 ratings. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Saved from being demolished in 1958, the 19th century key west gem is a historic museum featuring the artwork of john james audubon. The birds of america 182738 preserves in four monumental volumes 435 handcolored aquatint plates depicting all of the thenknown species of birds found in the united states. John james audubon, unknown introduction edition language. Audubon prints 16 by 20 northwestern mutual calendar 1957. Reproductions of audubons birds of america audubon prints. Find great deals on ebay for birds of america audubon and audubon birds of america book. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. The birds of america absorbed audubons attention for much of his life and its publication took nearly 12 years to complete. Witherbys fivevolume handbook of british birds 193841 and roger tory petersons field guide to the birds 1947, which gives the field marks of all north american birds found east of.
The birds of america, from drawings made in the united states and their territories by audubon, john james 17851851 and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Willow ptarmigan john james audubon birds of america, titled willow grous or large ptarmigan plate 191. Vtg 1937 the birds of america john james audubon book 1st ed. Audubon not long ago, i thought it was a propitious moment to read through this book. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. 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. I sell well researched and reasonably priced audubon price guide books for the following original audubon editions.
The story behind john james audubons birds of america rare. Dec 08, 2010 a copy of the worlds most expensive printed book has sold at auction for. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. Highresolution images courtesy of the john james audubon center at mill grove, audubon, pa, and the montgomery county, pa, audubon collection. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. The print is in beautiful vintage condition, is unframed and in a protective clear sleeve. The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. The color is quite good especially when you consider that the state of printing in the 1940s and 1950s was technologically not up to todays standards. The original double elephant folio edition has 435 handcolored prints of engravings made from audubon s original paintings. John james audubon 1785 1851 was an ornithologist of the early 19th century responsible for creating the largest and most beautiful illustrated bird book. Audubon s birds of america bookplate 1950 first etsy. 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.
In the i960s a product promotion campaign of the kimberlyclark corporation of neenah, wis. This print is from the 1950 s birds of america print collection. The birds of america by john james audubon, macmillan, 1942. John james audubons birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price guide books.
Birds of america by john james audubon 1946 hb the birds of america is an intriging book by author, john james audubon. You can now download highres versions of audubons prints. Editions of birds of america by john james audubon. The twist is that its written largely in lucys voice, through imagined diary entries, letters, and poems deeply informed by historical research. This first edition of birds of america by john james audubon, originally bought by the duke of portland some time after 1828, is expected to become the worlds most expensive book when it. 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. The four volumes of john james audubons birds of america were. Introduction and descriptive captions by ludlow griscom. Audubon bird prints, vintage art page 9 charting nature a computer programme says these are the faces of the most beautiful man and woman in the world. A museum quality print of the barred owl by john james audubon for his book the birds of america, this owl is also known as the hooting owl, or hoot owl. It was printed by macmillan company in 1946 and it is a fifth edition.
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. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. Spine is faded and light wear to cover else very good condition. A much overlooked audubon print because, i believe, all surviving examples exhibit such heavy levels of degradation as to be singularly unattractive. 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. This large hardbound book is filled with beautiful color reproductions of audubons bird paintings. Audubons birds of america popular edition by audubon john. John james audubon birds 19501969 art prints for sale ebay. In 1950 there was offered the socalled the history edition of audubon prints. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price.
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