Audubon originally published the book by subscription. Favorites such as the blue jay and the golden eagle appear along with colorful flycatchers, warblers, and water birds. The book gets its title from a birds of america plate of a swamp sparrow that is signed by the engraver in lucys name. Collection of 288 audubon paintings, in color, accompanied by captions by ornothologist ludlow griscom 1890 1959, known as the dean of the birdwatchers. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north. John james audubon s birds of america on view now at chicagos field museum chadd scott contributor opinions expressed by. Very rare 1839 1st edition copy of john james audubon s, a synopsis of the birds of america. The birds of america by john james audubon 1946 5th print ebay. This is a complete edition of john james audubon s nineteenth century masterpiece, the birds of america. Audubon prints birds of america joel oppenheimer, inc. The university of pittsburgh is fortunate to own one of the rare, complete sets of john james audubons birds of america. A double elephant folio is always on exhibit showcasing one bird each month. 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. 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.
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. 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. By visiting the john james audubon center at mill grove one can see our museum collection of 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. Dust cover shows wear but the inside book is in fine condition. A precise replica of the complete works of john james audubon, comprising the birds of america 1840 44 and the quadrupeds of north america 1851 54 in their entirety by. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. The birds of america by john james audubon in pictures.
Details about the birds of america john james audubon 1937 macmillan color illus 500 plates. Audubon s birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. In addition to the prints, each birds page also includes a recording of the animals call, plus extensive written texts from the period of the books. Popular edition of john james audubon s 1785 1851 illustrations of birds of america began painting in 1840. The birds of america 1840 by john james audubon 7 pdf e books on 1 data dvd. Nov 14, 2019 an early subscribers copy of john james audubons double elephant folio incomparably the most important and most beautiful colorplate book ever published. Culture a rare copy of audubon s birds of america heads to auction to benefit conservation. Excellent art conservation services are provided for all types of two dimension artwork, include works on paper, canvas, and fine photography. An early subscribers copy of john james audubon s double elephant folio incomparably the most important and most beautiful colorplate book ever published. John james audubon birds of america engagement book calendar 1984 by audubon, john james and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The audubon birds coloring book by john james audubon. A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. Other digitized print materials prints by john james audubon. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. 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. All 435 illustrations from john j audubons birds of america are. Mar, 2001 i cant believe anyone could find fault with this book based on textual errors. John james audubon dreamed of creating lifesized portraits of every species of bird in north america. 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. John james audubon was a naturalist and painter and is considered one of the greatest bird artists of all time. The birds of america 1840 by john james audubon 7 pdf ebooks on 1 data dvd.
Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. A synopsis of the birds of north america by john james audubon. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. John james audubon 1785 1851 was an ornithologist of the early 19th century responsible for creating the largest and most beautiful illustrated bird book. Good press publishes a wide range of titles that encompasses every genre. 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.
I cant believe anyone could find fault with this book based on textual errors. 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. 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. Born in haiti in 1785, he spent much of his life travelling north america observing, catching and drawing birds and animals in remarkable detail. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubon s work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. Fullpage coloring guides are shown opposite john james audubon s original illustrations from his masterwork birds of america. The story behind john james audubons birds of america. John james audubon 17851851 was not the first person to attempt to paint and describe all the birds of america alexander wilson has that distinction, but for half a century he was the young countrys dominant wildlife artist. From the original double elephant folio by john james audubon. Dec 15, 2017 john james audubon dreamed of creating lifesized portraits of every species of bird in north america. John james audubon jeanjacques audubon april 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was a french american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. 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. This book is in acceptable to good condition based on some discoloration yellowing of the first few pages and edges of book as well as some signs of wear on binding as shown in photos.
Mar 04, 20 watch a behindthescenes look at one of the public library of cincinnati and hamilton countys rarest books, the famed birds of america by naturalist john james audubon. 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 by john james audubon, abbeville. Reproduced in color for the first time from the collection at the newyork historical society. The birds of america by john james audubon, abbeville abebooks. The first accurate transcription of audubon s 1826 journal, this edition corrects many of the errors, both intentional and unintentional, found in previous editions. Rare birds of america book by john james audubon sells for. The watercolors for the birds of america by john james audubon and annette blaugrund 1993, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay.
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. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction. I just got through reading rhodes excellent biography john james audubon. The covers of the book have some wear and light soiling with a little bit of. April 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. Ornithologist john james audubon labored over his lifes masterwork, the birds of america, from 1827 to 1838.
He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of american birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds. The making of an american, which got me interested in obtaining a copy of birds of america. 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. Prints by john james audubon digitized materials rare. Indeed, until sothebys sale in 20 of a copy of the bay psalm book, the first book printed in british america, various copies of audubon s birds held the title of the most expensive book. Nearly 200 years later, the audubon prints are coming. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. The enormous 4 volume double elephant folio carefully and accurately documents more than 430 species of american birds in lifesize prints, making it an important work of natural history and scientific observation.
Was it audubon s complicated joke, equating his tall and spirited wife with a bird he described as timid and destitute of song. In 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. Edition of john james audubons masterpiece of ornithological art, one of only 120, expected to break auction records. The birds of americajohn james audubon 1937 macmillan. Among the most significant american books of the 19th century, audubon s the birds of america is extraordinary in several ways. John james audubons most popular book is birds of america. Watch a behindthescenes look at one of the public library of cincinnati and hamilton countys rarest books, the famed birds of america by naturalist john james audubon. 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.
Indulge your love of birds with this beautiful collection of images for coloring. John james audubon drawn from nature american masters. Spine creases, wear to binding and pages from reading. 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.
The portraits, when bound, became some of the biggest books. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1953 ratings. One of the most valuable natural history books ever published, it shows birds in natural positions and in their native habitats. The portraits, when bound, became some of the biggest books ever madeand to read them, his. The original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for the birds of america. Jun 12, 2018 culture a rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to benefit conservation. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. Iceland or jer falcon iceland or jer falcon, handcoloured engraving and aquatint by robert havell, jr. The watercolors for the birds of america hardcover. The national audubon society has recently made john james audubons seminal birds of america available to the public in a.
Audubon s birds in colour for decoupage by audubon, john james book the fast. Twothirds of north american bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change. To create this hardback edition, the natural history museums own original double elephant size folio was disbound and each of the 435 beautiful handcoloured prints was specially photographed. The birds of america by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction. Highresolution images courtesy of the john james audubon center at mill grove, audubon, pa, and the montgomery county, pa, audubon collection. Page turning occurs once every four weeks on thursdays. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition abebooks. 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. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world.
Oct 01, 2011 john james audubon was a naturalist and painter and is considered one of the greatest bird artists of all time. The book has been rebacked at some point in the past, but it retains most of its original spine covering. Mar 24, 2020 books the woman behind birds of america an upcoming book gives voice to lucy bakewell audubon, whose invisible labor fueled her husband john james audubons famous works. Among the most significant american books of the 19th century, audubons the birds of america is extraordinary in several ways. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubon s 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month and is. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america.
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