George andrew woloch, began with audubon s depiction of the twelve birds chosen and then fashioned each into an example of the sculptors art. Dec 12, 2018 this is one of the 435 handcoloured illustrations in the birds of america, the magnum opus of john james audubon. Sold as a complete set, 250 were originally produced. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at.
These bookplates, prints, or pages are two 2 sided. Audubon s the birds of america was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838 and represented his yearslong mission to find and paint all the known species of birds in north. May 02, 2016 john james audubons birds of america 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. He eventually stopped at 435 paintings after he exhausted his personal resources. In other words, there is a bird print on each side. It is considered to be the single most valuable set of volumes in the collections of the university library system uls. Old 1937 john james audubon the birds of america book plate. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction. The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. The most splendid book ever produced in relation to america, and certainly one of the finest ornithological works ever printed. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james first. Though other naturalists had created books of north americas birds. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction in new york city. The birds of america book by john james audubon color plates1974 10th ed hb.
The rare copy of john james audubons birds of america was bought by london. Iii and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. 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. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. Make offer the birds of america by john james audubon 1937 limited edition great condition. Collectible book vintage audubon s birds of america 1950 1st popular edition. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. Runnells rare book room at the field museum is not. The richly illustrated 19th century book, featuring more than 400 handcolored illustrations of 1,037 lifesize birds, was one of just complete sets thought to be remaining in private hands. The birds of america by john james audubon 1937 limited edition great condition sold dec.
Jan 27, 2021 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. John james audubon john james audubon, born jeanjacques audubon, was an american ornithologist. 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. Audubons birds of america at the university of pittsburgh. One of the finest ornithological works ever printed audubon, john james. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. This modern edition is not considered an original in the sense that none of audubon s family had a hand in its recreation. These large volumes, often referred to as the elephant folios, are sized to accommodate audubon s depictions of eagles, the wild turkey, the flamingo, and the. Original vintage 1937 john james audubon birds of america etsy. Birds of america signed john james audubon bauman rare.
A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. Prints by john james audubon digitized materials rare book. Old 1937 antique vintage book john james audubon birds of america bookplate based on water. The story behind john james audubons birds of america. Amsterdam edition of audubon prints from birds of america. Dec 08, 2010 a stunning book by the wildlife artist who influenced charles darwin sold for a worldrecord. None the less, they are still beautiful, rare, and increasingly collectible. 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. His combined interests in art and ornithology turned into a plan to make a complete pictoral record of all the bird species of north america. These large volumes, often referred to as the elephant folios, are sized to accommodate audubon. Nov 14, 2019 john james audubon s the birds of america was immediately recognized as an extraordinary achievement and perhaps the greatest contribution ever made of art in the service of science. The original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for the birds of america is published by the newyork historical society.
The ariel prints are published in england, germany, and the u. The birds of america by john james audubon 1937 limited. I have up for sale one large antique hardcover book, the birds of america, john james audubon with an introduction and descriptive text by william vogt. John james ne jeanjacques fougere audubon was born in hait. Isbn 9781558591288 9781558591288 hardcover, abbeville press, 2003. Contains transcript of the legends on the original plates and index of. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. Bought this for my 11 year old grandson who had just finished another book whose. Guide to collecting john james audubon the value of audubon. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction. Guide to collecting john james audubon the value of.
John james audubons birds of america 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. This book is quite rare to find with the dustjacket. Original vintage 1937 john james audubon birds of america. Jan 20, 2014 in 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. Considered the artists greatest triumph, the oversized fourvolume set that contains 435 handcolored prints of his watercolor drawings, published at great personal expense between 1827 and 1838, is the kind of rare book owned only by institutions and one percenters. Six of the birds painted have become extinct since its publication. He was 35 years old, bankrupt, and just out of debtors prison when he had his great idea. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. Make offer the birds of america by john james audubon 1937 limited edition great condition the birds of america, john james audubon. Reproductions of audubons birds of america audubon prints.
The birds of america john james audubon 1937 large hardcover book, clean. The birds of america limited edition 2, 500 copies. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. For a skinner rare book were looking for books that have a higher minimum auction value, so this book wouldnt be appropriate for auction, but it is a really nice book. From the birds of america amsterdam edition amsterdam and new york.
John james audubon, original illustrations for birds of america, 1966 by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Excellent art conservation services are provided for all types of two dimension artwork, include. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high prices. He created about 200 copies of the 3foottall, fourvolume set, each featuring 435. His reputation established, audubon then settled in new york city and prepared a smaller edition of his birds of america, 7 vol. Quarto 32 cm 14 green cloth with marbled paper over boards. Not all of the specimens illustrated in the work were collected by audubon himself. Excellent art conservation services are provided for all types of two dimension artwork, include works on paper, canvas, and fine photography. What makes these volumes such a sight is the fact that each page measures two by three feet as audubon drew all of the birds lifesized. The birds of america by john james audubon first edition. What makes these volumes such a sight is the fact that each page measures two by three feet as. Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan abebooks. Auction values tend to be at about 50% of moderate retail, so it is a book with value.
This famous 19th century set of 4 double elephant folio volumes features 435 magnificent handcolored plates of american birds. Frontispiece portrait of audubon from the painting by f. Of the many treasures that can be found in the grosvenor rare book room, john james audubons the birds of america is one which is difficult to miss. Certainly the greatest of american bird books, and possibly one of the finest book productions in the world, audubon s birds of america owes much to its authors determination to have his work reproduced by the best possible craftsmen, and to his insistence that his drawings be reproduced lifesize, as he had drawn them.
Johnson reprint corporation and theatrum orbis terrarum, 197172. One of the most spectacular collections of ornithological prints ever produced and a landmark attempt to document the birds of north america. Aside from being famous in the rare book world, birds of america. The birds of america by john james audubon 1937 cloth.
Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubon s work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. 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. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for. Prints by john james audubon digitized materials rare. Rare birds of america book by john james audubon sells for. An early subscribers copy of john james audubon s double elephant folio incomparably the most important and most beautiful colorplate book ever published. Buy the birds of america by audubon, john james isbn. Jun 12, 2018 on june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction in new york city. Audubon s birds of america tiny folios roger tory peterson. Limited edition collectors print for the audubon society baby elephant folio audubons birds of america by audubon, john james. Offered is an original vintage 1937 john james audubon book plate, print, or bird print. The university of pittsburgh is fortunate to own one of the rare, complete sets of john james audubon s birds of america. Old 1937 john james audubon the birds of america book.
He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of american birds and for his detailed illustrations. The amsterdam edition offers up all 435 images from john james audubon s birds of america. May 31, 2018 ornithologist john james audubon labored over his lifes masterwork, the birds of america, from 1827 to 1838. John james audubon the watercolors for the birds of america first edition. 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. John james audubon the birds of america 500 full age. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The amsterdam set is published in hollandthe first complete set of fullsized facsimiles since the double elephant folio in 1839. John james audubon s most popular book is birds of america. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. Edition of john james audubons masterpiece of ornithological art, one of. John james audubon dreamed of creating lifesized portraits of every. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubons work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope.
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