Millions of nature lovers are familiar with audubons exquisite portraits of birds in his masterpiece the birds of america. Beautiful hardbound book in green with gold lettering, the birds of america by john james audubon printed in 1937 by the macmillan company. Full sized dummy of the regular edition of the book. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. Jul 23, 2012 the 1937 edition of birds of america by john james audobon published by the macmillan company would value between 175 225 dollars in good condition. In the state of louisiana, the cowpenbird, or as it is also called, the cow blackbird, or cow bunting, is seen only at long intervals. John james audubon drawn from nature american masters pbs. Laiser in memory of their mother, gratia houghton rinehart, 1954 approximately 120 complete copies of the birds of america are extant today in collections around the world. Old 1937 john james audubon the birds of america book plate. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. April 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter.
Price guide havell edition audubon print prices, audubon. Sep 6, 2014 vintage audubon birds of america book print 1937. An iconic image from the folio first edition of audubons quadrupeds of north america, the greatest illustrated natural history work to be produced in america during the nineteenth century. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubon s birds of america with the same or similar title. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high. Buy the birds of america complete ed of audubon s classic work by john james audubon isbn. 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. The 1937 edition of birds of america by john james audobon published by the macmillan company would value between 175 225 dollars in good condition. The most valuable book in the world, a copy sold for in 2011 christies much anticipated sale of john james audubons birds of america has just concluded within the past couple of hours. Contains gorgeous color plates including latin name of species and notes on the birds range, etc. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time.
The birds of america by john james audubon in pictures. This very fine plate is from the folio edition of john james audubons the viviparous quadrupeds of north. Havell was a celebrated engraver who over the next decade would transform audubon s watercolor drawings into the brilliance that became the double elephant folio edition of the birds of america. The birds of america absorbed audubons attention for much of his life and its publication took nearly 12 years to complete. Buffalo audubon advocates for ways people and governments can help birds and other wildlife survive and flourish. Like you, buffalo audubon is closely monitoring the ever developing covid19 coronavirus situation and closely following all new york and wyoming county health department guidelines. 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. In 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. 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. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000.
Birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover abebooks. Audubons the birds of america 1937 published by the macmillan company, 500 pages. As the record of the interior story of the making of this monumental work, his journal of 1826 is one of the richest documents in the history of american culture. 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. Each four volume set of the birds of america comprised 435 hand colored lifesize prints of 489 bird species. The audubon society baby elephant folio differs in a number of ways besides its dimensions from earlier editions of the birds of america. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition. Macmillan co publisher with lithographs by duenewald printing. Birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover barnes. New listing the birds of america by john james audubon 1937 limited edition 22382500. The birds of america the cover shows a louisiana heron, egretta tricolor authorjohn james audubon original titlethe birds of america. Mar, 2001 the book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. He wandered the woods and rivers of the wild frontiers of north america shooting, studying, posing, and painting every species of bird he could find, and many years later, the resulting books were to change the worlds of ornithology and naturalhistory art forever. 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.
The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. His major work, a colorplate book entitled the birds of america 18271839. John james audubon, an early american naturalist and painter, produced one of the greatest works of natural history and art of the nineteenth century, the birds of america. Head of buffalo calf drawn by audubon in 1843 facing. To our buffalo audubon friends, this is a challenging time for all of us. Over the years many authors have written entire books about the birds of america publication. 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. Woodsman audu audubon wrote bachman bakewell bayou sarah beautiful became beech woods beloved berthoud bird artist bird drawings birds of america black chalks boat called captain audubon cayes color doctor dollars dubon duck eagle edinburgh eliza. 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. It was published from 1827 to 1839 in sets of four volumes. John james audubon the birds of america 21st century edition. In other words, there is a bird print on each side. Rare copy of audubons birds of america for sale science. 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.
First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for. The birds of america by audubon, john james and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The work was to be john james audubon s last, and by 1846 he had to hand over the drawing of the final 50 or so plates to his sons, john wodehouse and victor audubon. The birds of america john james audubon 1937 macmillan ebay. 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. The birds of america by audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Original vintage 1937 john james audubon birds of america.
Iceland or jer falcon iceland or jer falcon, handcoloured engraving and aquatint by robert havell, jr. 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. An intimate life of the american woodsman pelican publishing, 1937, p. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to.
This very fine plate is from the folio edition of john james audubons the viviparous. This very fine plate is from the folio edition of john james audubon s the viviparous quadrupeds of north america, produced entirely in the united states. John james audubon birds of america first edition seller. Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. Audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. Birds pictorial works publication date 18271838 pages435 lc classql674. These bookplates, prints, or pages are two 2 sided. Unfollow audubon birds of america 1937 to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to.
As long as our civilization lasts, america will be in debt to this genius roger tory peterson. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubon s work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. Less well known, yet of great significance, is a second masterwork by the noted artistnaturalist, the viviparous quadrupeds of north america a series of illustrations devoted to the four. And audubon s 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. Original vintage 1937 john james audubon birds of america etsy. The story behind john james audubons birds of america. Audubons childhood fascination with drawing birds became his obsession. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds of america with the same or similar title. New listing the birds of america john james audubon published 1937 reprinted 1941. Rare first edition of john james audubon s the birds of america to be sold at christies ann jackson gallery john james audubons birds of america. A copy of birds of america by john james audubon, published in 1937 by macmillan co. Sep 10, 2010 rare copy of audubons birds of america for sale.
Highresolution images courtesy of the john james audubon center at mill grove, audubon, pa, and the montgomery county, pa, audubon collection. Like that bird, it makes no nest of its own, but deposits its eggs, one at a time, in the nests of other birds, leaving them to the care of a fosterparent. 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. Laiser in memory of their mother, gratia houghton rinehart, 1954 approximately 120 complete copies of the birds of america are extant today in. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james first. Audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. The original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for the birds of america. Audubon painting horned grebe vintage 1937 birds of america book print. Audubon created a genre of illustration that didnt exist before. The birds of america, four volumes 182738 handcolored etching with aquatint and engraving gift of mrs. Acknowledged as one of the most important and beautiful color plate books ever published, john james audubons the birds of america is also one of the rarest and most collectable.
Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner inc. Offered is an original vintage 1937 john james audubon book plate, print, or bird print no. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction. John james audubon was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. John james audubons most popular book is birds of america. The lifes work of both a lover and observer of birds and nature. John james audubon is best known for the birds of america, a book of 435 images, portraits of every bird then known in the united states painted and. This is copy number 1916 of a limited edition of 2500, printed on allrag paper. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. 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. Old 1937 john james audubon the birds of america book. John james audubon drawn from nature american masters.
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. John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Jul 25, 2007 john james audubon is best known for the birds of america, a book of 435 images, portraits of every bird then known in the united states painted and reproduced in the size of life. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1953 ratings. The birds of america, four volumes audubons aviary. If there is any damage to the book including staining, water damage, damage to the spine, or torn or missing pages this would devalue the book. A9 1827 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. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Reproduced in color for the first time from the collection at the newyork historical society. Click here to check out national audubon s bird friendly communities page for some great examples of advocacy in action. 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. 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.