This guide is packed with nearly 600 stunning color. The audubon bird guide is a free and complete field guide to more than 800 species of north american birds, right in your pocket. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. With over 2 million downloads to date, it is one of the best and most trusted field guides for north. While audubon was creating birds of america, he was also working on a companion publication, namely, his ornithological biography. The birds of america earned audubon a small fortune. The actual title is the national audubon society baby elephant folio audubons birds of america. Nov 14, 2019 john james audubons 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. This edition of audubons birds of america displays his handcoloured engravings in reproductions taken from the original plates of. Darlington in the midnineteenth century and later donated, as part of his extensive library, to the university of pittsburgh. National audubon society field guide to north american birds. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. The story behind john james audubons birds of america. The bird id section includes descriptions of species and range maps.
Published in five volumes between 1827 and 1839, this work contains just over 700 north american bird species, including species that are now extinct. 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. 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. Very rare 1839 1st edition copy of john james audubon s, a synopsis of the birds of america. 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. The fantastic beasts of john james audubons littleknown. 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. The birds of america absorbed audubons attention for much of his life and its publication took nearly 12 years to complete. It also contains all 155 images of the 1st octavo edition of the quadrupeds of north america, along with audubon and the rev. Very rare 1839 1st edition copy of john james audubons, a synopsis of the birds of america. This book is not a coffee table book, it isnt for scholars, it isnt so big it wont fit into a bookcase, it sits nicely in the palm of your hand, actually covering just the palm of.
Mar 24, 2020 the book gets its title from a birds of america plate of a swamp sparrow that is signed by the engraver in lucys name. Was it audubons complicated joke, equating his tall and spirited wife with a bird he described as timid and destitute of song. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. 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. It doesnt say tiny anywhere, only in amazons description. An employee poses with a page depicting a snowy owl, from john james audubons book birds of america during a photocall for the frederick, 2nd lord hesketh collection, at sothebys auctioneers. But, despite his frequent later residencies in europe promoting and overseeing the production of the birds of america, most of his life was spent in the united states, which. 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. Books by john james audubon author of 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. He built a house on the hudson river, in what is now the upper west side of new york city, where he might have lived out his days at ease.
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. 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. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. The actual title is the national audubon society baby elephant folio audubon s birds of america. J ohn james audubon, whose name is synonymous with american ornithology, was born in les cayes, haiti then saintdomingue in 1785, and lived in france from the ages of five to eighteen. He created about 200 copies of the 3foottall, fourvolume set, each. Audubon prints birds of america havell edition prints. The portraits, when bound, became some of the biggest. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction. All the information that is included with the birds is wonderful to see. Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan abebooks. Mar, 2001 the book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000.
The lifes work of both a lover and observer of birds and nature. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Original havell engravings, bien color lithograph, octavos, and oppenheimer editions prints. Unfollow audubon birds of america book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Audubon s birds of america has 46 pages to color and colored pictures to use as guides. Whether exploring the forest, the backyard, or the city, you and your kids will learn about the habits of north america s most popular songbirds, how to create safe and welcoming environments for them, how to observe them, and how to construct easy and safe speciesappropriate birdhouses and feeders for common birds. 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. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month and is. 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. John james audubon dreamed of creating lifesized portraits of every species of bird in north america. 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.
Even before its completion in 1839, john james audubonoco. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds of america with the same or similar title. As early as november of 1826, shortly after lizars had begun the engraving of the birds of america, audubon had written in his journal. Birds of america is his seminal work, the one against which such contemporary bird artists as roger tory peterson and david sibley are measured. 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. Dec 12, 2010 an employee poses with a page depicting a snowy owl, from john james audubon s book birds of america during a photocall for the frederick, 2nd lord hesketh collection, at sothebys auctioneers. The audubon society baby elephant folio roger tory peterson. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high. National audubon society field guide to north american. Free shipping on many items browse your favorite brands affordable prices.
Feb 8, 2017 john james audubon april 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was an artist and naturalist who drew birds from life and created the mammoth book the birds of america. 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. More information about this seller contact this seller 16. The book gets its title from a birds of america plate of a swamp sparrow that is signed by the engraver in lucys name. The book has been rebacked at some point in the past. Consists of a complete double elephant folio set 435 plates of audubons birds of america and his ornithological biography. 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 s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. In 1824, three years after audubon began birds of america in earnest, he was ready to publish. Buy a cheap copy of audubons birds of america the audubon. April 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. Audubon s birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london.
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. Aug 24, 2017 part of the unit centers around art inspired by birds, and so we of course discuss audubon. 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. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price guide books. The bien edition prints of the birds of america were produced by the audubon family by audubons younger son john woodhouse, with assistance from elder brother victor gifford, and thus are properly termed originals. Ornithologist john james audubon labored over his lifes masterwork, the birds of america, from 1827 to 1838. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north. A complete first edition set of john james audubons gloriously illustrated the birds of america 18271838 goes up for auction june 14. An early subscribers copy of john james audubons double elephant folio incomparably the most important and most beautiful colorplate book ever published. The book has been rebacked at some point in the past, but it retains most of its original spine covering. Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price. Apr 14, 2005 the bien edition prints of the birds of america were produced by the audubon family by audubons younger son john woodhouse, with assistance from elder brother victor gifford, and thus are properly termed originals. Among the most significant american books of the 19th century, audubons the birds of america is extraordinary in several ways.
Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons. Unlike the havell edition prints which were produced in england, the bien edition prints were produced completely in america. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubon s birds of america with the same or similar title. One of the most valuable natural history books ever published, it shows birds in natural positions and in their native habitats. Original audubon havell edition produced 18261837 prints for sale. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. May 31, 2018 ornithologist john james audubon labored over his lifes masterwork, the birds of america, from 1827 to 1838. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. John james audubon and the making of the birds of america william souder. National audubon society field guide to african wildlife the birds, mammals, reptiles and insects of africaa continent unparalleled in its ecological richnessare brought to life in this authoritative, compact field guide, an essential companion for safarigoers and armchair travelers alike.
Audubons birds of america has 46 pages to color and colored pictures to use as guides. Christies auctions first edition of audubons the birds. 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. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon, coloring books. The last print featured in the collection was issued in 1838, after which audubon traveled north america several more times to paint the continents wildlife before finally settling in new york city. Birds of america by audubon, first edition, macmillan. Darlington in the midnineteenth century and later donated, as part. 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. There are so many people including young ones that want to learn all they can about birds and this is a great book to get. Twothirds of north american bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change. 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.