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PROPERTY OF A PRIVATE COLLECTOR
AUDUBON, John James (1785-1851). The Birds of America, From Drawings made in the United States and Their Territories. New York: J. J. Audubon, 1840.
Details
AUDUBON, John James (1785-1851). The Birds of America, From Drawings made in the United States and Their Territories. New York: J. J. Audubon, 1840.
The first octavo edition of Audubon's masterpiece. The octavo edition adds 65 new images for a total of 500 plates, making it "the most extensive color plate book produced in America up to that time" (Reese). For the octavo edition, Audubon employed the Philadelphia firm of J.T. Bowen to produce a more commercially viable edition of the work under the close supervision of his sons. The subscription price for the work was $100, making it an expensive work aimed at the country's well-off, although its potential to reach a greater public far surpassed that of the double-elephant folio edition. The market success was immense, giving Audubon financial security and firmly establishing his wide-ranging appeal as the greatest ornithological artist of his (or perhaps any) time. Nissen IVB 51; Reese 34; Sabin 2364.
Seven volumes, octavo (265 x 167mm). Half-titles, subscribers lists, 500 hand-colored lithographic plates after Audubon by W. E. Hitchcock, R. Trembly and others, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen, wood-engraved anatomical diagrams in text (some even toning and occasional spotting affecting plates). Later half morocco over marbled boards by Eusebe Senecal et Fils (vols 1 & 5-7 rebacked with original spine laid down, 5-7 with endpapers renewed; vols 2 & 4 with spine peeling, upper joint split). Provenance: Grand séminaire de Montréal (sold, Christie’s Canada, 28 September 1970, lot 1).
The first octavo edition of Audubon's masterpiece. The octavo edition adds 65 new images for a total of 500 plates, making it "the most extensive color plate book produced in America up to that time" (Reese). For the octavo edition, Audubon employed the Philadelphia firm of J.T. Bowen to produce a more commercially viable edition of the work under the close supervision of his sons. The subscription price for the work was $100, making it an expensive work aimed at the country's well-off, although its potential to reach a greater public far surpassed that of the double-elephant folio edition. The market success was immense, giving Audubon financial security and firmly establishing his wide-ranging appeal as the greatest ornithological artist of his (or perhaps any) time. Nissen IVB 51; Reese 34; Sabin 2364.
Seven volumes, octavo (265 x 167mm). Half-titles, subscribers lists, 500 hand-colored lithographic plates after Audubon by W. E. Hitchcock, R. Trembly and others, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen, wood-engraved anatomical diagrams in text (some even toning and occasional spotting affecting plates). Later half morocco over marbled boards by Eusebe Senecal et Fils (vols 1 & 5-7 rebacked with original spine laid down, 5-7 with endpapers renewed; vols 2 & 4 with spine peeling, upper joint split). Provenance: Grand séminaire de Montréal (sold, Christie’s Canada, 28 September 1970, lot 1).