A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction. April 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. This edition was lithographed and hand colored by j. Rare prints edition we started publishing these prints in 2008. The birds of america is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon, containing. Dec 10, 2010 on december 7th, a beautiful, complete copy of john james audubon s birds of america sold at sothebys auction in london for a hammer price of 6. Buy the birds of america complete ed of audubons classic work by john james audubon isbn.
Learn how to identify antique audubon prints rareprints. Over the years many authors have written entire books about the birds of america publication. Audubon havell edition price guide 1 the audubon havell edition and price guide john james audubon s original birds of america double elephant folio was easily the finest natural history book ever published. The women were boston socialites at the turn of the twentieth century who were appalled by the mass slaughter of birds for plumage on hats. Price guide havell edition audubon print prices, audubon. Below, you will find detailed descriptions and illustrations of the original audubon publications. Davies said that while the estimated value of the duke of portland set is. Dec 12, 2018 citizens of the feathered tribe audubons the birds of america offered in a dedicated sale in new york on 14 june, this exceptional example of the most valuable illustrated book ever produced and an icon of american art was sold to benefit environmental causes. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds of america with the same or similar title.
Published between 182738 in an edition of around 200, the birds of america represents the culmination of audubons life work as a naturalistartist, depicting in 435 plates every. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price guide books. The audubon bird guide is a free and complete field guide to more than 800 species of north american birds, right in your pocket. These fine audubon lithographs come from birds of america, the royal octavo edition 18401844. These are all authentic first edition prints completed under the direct supervision of john james audubon himself. 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. However, some of the smaller birds can also bring high prices at auction, including the carolina parrot, robin, mockingbird, and ruffnecked. 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. The following timeline is an excerpt from bill steiners book audubon art prints a collectors guide to every edition, published in the autumn of 2003 by the university of south carolina press. 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. Built for all experience levels, it will help you identify the birds around you, keep track of the birds youve seen, and get outside to find new birds near you. Winter hawk, from john james audubons the birds of america, up for auction.
First edition of the birds of america by john james audubon, done by the philadelphia firm of j. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. 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. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to. Bowen in 18401844 size is approximately 6 12 x 10 inches genuine audubon lithograph blue mountain warbler male pl. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. Steiner is an audubon galleries advisory board member. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. Larger birds tend to bring higher prices than the smaller songbirds.
With over 2 million downloads to date, it is one of the best and most trusted field guides for north. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons. The paper size for these prints is approximately 6. Birds of america havell edition 182638 the 1st original audubon publication. John james audubons the birds of america book has long been one. 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 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. See more ideas about audubon birds, birds of america and john james audubon. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubon s birds of america with the same or similar title. An illustration of an american flamingo from john james audubons birds of america, copies of which are today worth millions of dollars. This is the final octavo edition, issued by lockwood in 18701871 and here bearing the original 1839 audubon statement on the verso of the title pages. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. Birds of america by john james audubon sets booksale.
Published february 10th 1985 by random house value publishing hardcover, 154 pages authors. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high. 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. There is an excellent book on the first edition called audubons great national work by ron tyler 1993 university of texas press. And audubons second book, ornithological biography, which was intended to be a companion to the birds of america, would inspire the founding of. As early as november of 1826, shortly after lizars had begun the engraving of the birds of america, audubon had written in his journal. Mar, 2001 the book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. Dec 12, 2019 what makes audubons the birds of america such a great and desirable book. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Heres why the book is worth so much and the littleknown. The subject matter of an audubon print also helps determine the value. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books.
And he, with the help of his sons, john woodhouse and victor, made a similar book with about 155 plates, as opposed to the 500 that were in the birds. The bien edition the project, quality, errors and market value. Original audubon havell edition produced 18261837 prints for sale. More information about this seller contact this seller 15.
Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan abebooks. Audubon s birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Guide to collecting john james audubon the value of. It is out of print but can sometimes be found in used book stores. Dec 15, 2017 and audubons second book, ornithological biography, which was intended to be a companion to the birds of america, would inspire the founding of the national audubon society, one of the world.
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. After that, you will find information on how to determine the general market value of your original audubon print. Jul 06, 2014 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. On december 7th, a beautiful, complete copy of john james audubons birds of america sold at sothebys auction in london for a hammer price of 6.
Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. 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. The lithographs in all of the later editions are identical and of the same value clark and bannon, handbook of audubon prints. Rare birds of america book by john james audubon sells for. I have an audobon birds of america fifty selections with commentaries by roger tory peterson all 50 prints are within boxbook the macmillan company, no date on prints nor boxbook. Dec 08, 2010 the rare copy of john james audubons birds of america was bought by london dealer michael tollemache for. It also contains all 155 images of the 1st octavo edition of the quadrupeds of north america, along with audubon and the rev. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london.
My images of audubon is a very popular cdrom that contains all 500 images of the audubon 1st octavo edition of birds of america, along with audubon s original text for each bird. 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. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. Great blue heron, american flamingo, and wild turkey are three of the most valuable prints of the birds of america. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for. Published between 182738 in an edition of around 200, the birds of america represents the culmination of audubons life work as. Dec 08, 2010 a copy of the worlds most expensive printed book has sold at auction for. Audubon, john james 1785 1851 carolina turtle dove.
John james audubon is best known for his ornithological magnum opus, the birds of america. My images of audubon is a very popular cdrom that contains all 500 images of the audubon 1st octavo edition of birds of america, along with audubons original text for each bird. Audubon prints birds of america havell edition prints. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. While there are a handful of books in the world that may be worth more, until 20 birds of america held the record for the most money paid at auction for. Johnson reprint corporation and theatrum orbis terrarum, 197172. Part of the unit centers around art inspired by birds, and so we of course discuss audubon. First edition of john james audubons birds of america book sold. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan. Distinguishing between the octavo editions is a more intricate process.
A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. What makes audubons the birds of america such a great and desirable book. Great bird books for kids golden gate audubon society. The 19th century masterpiece, replete with count em 435 handcolored illustrations, has long been considered a crucial document about u. Citizens of the feathered tribe audubons the birds of america offered in a dedicated sale in new york on 14 june, this exceptional example of the most valuable illustrated book ever produced and an icon of american art was sold to benefit environmental causes.
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