The national audubon society explains, printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesized watercolours of north american birds havell edition, all reproduced from handengraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration. Birds of america by john james audubon sets booksale. The sevenvolume birds of america includes images of six nowextinct birds. In 1827, lady isabella hertford cut up her copy of the mammoth 39. Birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover barnes. John james audubons most popular book is birds of america. 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. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The viviparous quadrupeds of north america southartparkway edition.
Audubons childhood fascination with drawing birds became his obsession. John james audubon 17851851 was americas preeminent 19thcentury naturalist illustrator. Johnson reprint corporation and theatrum orbis terrarum, 197172. Unfollow audubon birds of america book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed.
We specialize in original and fine reproduction audubon prints, offering a good selection from all editions. Birds of america, a 2008 film directed by craig lucas. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. Reproductions of audubons birds of america audubon prints. 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 audubons original, massive doubleelephant folio, the heaviest volume of which weighs 56 pounds. Audubons birds of america, by peterson 1981 signed, ltd. Only the area of the united states, exclusive of alaska and hawaii, is considered. The story behind john james audubons birds of america rare. The first edition doubleelephant folio set of audubons birds of america is one of the most important treasures in the museums rare book collection. Birds of america, a 1998 collection of stories by lorrie moore. The audubon society baby elephant folio hardcover 1981. He was born in haiti, the illegitimate son of a french sea captain and his mistress, then taken to.
The birds of america, abbeville, ariel, and princeton editions. Audubon s birds of america 1981 the audubon society. The birds of america e um livro do seculo xix por john james audubon. Find great deals on ebay for birds of america audubon and audubon birds of america book. John james audubon is arguably americas most widely recognized and collected artist. John james audubon illustrator and a great selection of related books. Sep 10, 2010 rare copy of audubons birds of america for sale.
All of john james audubons brilliant bird engravings are graced by illuminating commentary by roger tory peterson, one of americas bestknown ornithologists, in this diminutive, yet lavish volume. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubon s work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. Often cited as the most expensive book of all time, there are still 120 known intact copies of john james audubons the birds of america which was published between 1827 and 1838. Audubon s birds of america audubon society baby elephant folio 1981 peterson. 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 story behind john james audubons birds of america. Published january 1st 1981 by abbeville press hardcover, 650 pages authors.
Here the plates are reorganized phylogenetically, in a modern scientific classification sequence. Audubon s original plates, numbered to correspond to the pages of the book, have been reproduced in color on the covers. But again, this publication is less a book and more pieces of art in codex format. Audubon created a genre of illustration that didnt exist before. Great blue heron, american flamingo, and wild turkey are three of the most valuable prints of the birds of america. Audubons birds of america tiny folio by roger tory peterson. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. However, some of the smaller birds can also bring high prices at auction, including the carolina parrot, robin, mockingbird, and ruffnecked. Useful article detailing the numerous reproductions of audubons artwork. It was printed by macmillan company in 1946 and it is a fifth edition. Audubons birds of america the audubon society baby. John james audubons the birds of america book has long been one of the most treasured books of natural history. 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.
Audubons birds of america coloring book john james. Aug 08, 2015 the birds of america audubon, john james on. Audubon birds america 1840 first edition original octavo prints. Birds of america is also very likely the worlds most expensive wall covering. 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. 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. Birds of america by john james audubon 1946 hb the birds of america is an intriging book by author, john james audubon.
Birds of america cleveland museum of natural history. The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james. John james audubons birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book. This is the first time the bien edition of audubons book has been republished since its original issue. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Beginning in about 1820, audubon set out to paint every north american bird in its natural habitat in poses that illustrated the identifying features of each species. Bowen in 18401844 size is approximately 6 12 x 10 inches genuine audubon lithograph blue mountain warbler male pl. The birds of america absorbed audubons attention for much of his life and its publication took nearly 12 years to complete. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch.
Audubons birds of america the audubon society baby elephant. Each of the 435 full color prints have been arranged phylogenetically in relation to the original plate numbers. Birds of america 1923 and books about birds of the united states. 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. Jan 20, 2014 in 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. Rare copy of audubons birds of america for sale science.
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. This sparkling tiny foliotm edition of audubons birds of america displays all 435. The most famous edition of birds of america the one that became the most expensive. A complete first edition set of john james audubons gloriously illustrated the birds of america 18271838 goes up for auction june 14. 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. Birds of america hardcover import, 1981 by mary mccarthy author 4. In 1820, john james audubon decided that he wanted to publish a book with an illustration of every bird in north america eighteen years later, the birds of america was complete, a collection of. Each of the 435 full color prints have been arranged phylogenetically in relation to. 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 audubon society baby elephant folio by roger tory peterson. Nearly all later ornithological works were inspired by audubon s artistry and high standards, and birds of america is considered one of the greatest examples of book. Nearly all later ornithological works were inspired by audubons artistry and high standards, and birds of america is considered one of the greatest examples of book. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. 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. The audubon society baby elephant folio by roger tory. In 197172 the first complete edition of audubons 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 1800s. John james audubon illustrator and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1946 ratings. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north american birds havell edition, all reproduced from handengraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration. The birds of america by john james audubon in pictures. 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.
To create this hardback edition, the natural history museums own original double elephant size folio was disbound and each of the 435 beautiful. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner inc. All audubons brilliant bird engravings come alive in one complete package. Audubon society baby elephant book folio, birds of america, 1981. This volume, compiled by roger tory peterson and virginia marie peterson, was published by abbeville press, new york. Kennedy from originals by john james aububon 17851851, the most famous american painternaturalist. In 1959 readers digest, with the sale of our amazing world of nature, accompanied this book with certain reproductions of the birds of america. The book has been hand signed by both authors in red marking pen on the front special edition end page. Larger birds tend to bring higher prices than the smaller songbirds. The pictures have been faithfully redrawn by paul e. John james audubon and the making of the birds of america. Audubons birds of america coloring book john james audubon.
The subject matter of an audubon print also helps determine the value. Vtg audubon birds of america book by roger tory peterson 50. Audubon birds america 1840 first edition original octavo. The birds of america by audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Dec 08, 2010 a copy of the worlds most expensive printed book has sold at auction for. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. 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. This is a complete edition of john james audubons nineteenth century masterpiece, the birds of america.
Jan 19, 2012 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 is. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. The birds shown are usually adult males when the caption does not give the information on age and sex. John james audubgon was born april 26, 1785 at aux cayes, the son of a french naval officer.
Birds of america, a book by john james audubon first published in sections between 1827 and 1838. Including the redwinged blackbird, painted bunting, wood duck, great blue heron, rubythroated hummingbird, purple finch, and blue jay, 46 different species of birds from all parts of the united states are included in this book. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high prices. 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.
In 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. 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 audubon society baby elephant folio roger tory peterson. First edition of the birds of america by john james audubon, done by the philadelphia firm of j. The audubon society baby elephant folio differs in many ways from any earlier. First edition of john james audubons birds of america.