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. 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. The portraits, when bound, became some of the biggest books ever madeand to read them, his. Collection of 288 audubon paintings, in color, accompanied by captions by ornothologist ludlow griscom 1890 1959, known as the dean of the birdwatchers. The book has been rebacked at some point in the past, but it retains most of its original spine covering. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition abebooks. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubon s birds of america with the same or similar title.
April 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. Because the prints were extremely large and had to be handcolored by a team of painters, the cost of creating the original sets was exorbitant. The large format books may be bulky on a coffee table, but a smaller format just. Popular edition of john james audubon s 1785 1851 illustrations of birds of america began painting in 1840. The birds of america by john james audubon, abbeville abebooks. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds of america with the same or similar title. From the introduction by marshall davidson with this publication virtually the entire series of paintings created by john james audobon for the birds of america is reproduced for the first time in full color and with the accuracy made possible by modern photographic tecniques. The birds of america from original drawings by john james audubon. His landmark work, birds of america 1838, consisted of 435 lifesize prints that were published in batches of five over the course of thirteen years. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for.
He created about 200 copies of the 3foottall, fourvolume set, each. Certainly the greatest of american bird books, and possibly one of the finest book productions in the world, audubons 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. He travelled widely in search of specimens and, later, in. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. 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. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. Dec 15, 2017 john james audubon dreamed of creating lifesized portraits of every species of bird in north america. 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. John james audubons paintings and descriptions of the birds of north america remain the gold standard against which all ornithological portraits are judged. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. John james audubon 1785 1851 was an ornithologist of the early 19thcentury responsible for creating the largest and most beautiful illustrated bird book ever.
Very rare 1839 1st edition copy of john james audubon s, a synopsis of the birds of america. Carolina parrot carolina parrot, handcoloured engraving and aquatint by robert havell, jr. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Prints by john james audubon digitized materials rare book. 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. See more ideas about audubon birds, john james audubon and birds of america. Audubon s birds of america coloring book 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 works on paper, canvas, and fine photography. Audubons birds of america coloring book paperback june 1, 1974. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Birds of america is his seminal work, the one against which such contemporary bird artists as roger tory peterson and david sibley are measured. He interspersed these bird biographies with episodes on life in america during this turbulent period. Popular edition of john james audubons 1785 1851 illustrations of birds of america began painting in 1840. Among the most significant american books of the 19th century, audubons the birds of america is extraordinary in several ways. As the book was laid out and opened, i realized that i was not at all prepared for its profound beauty. The birds of america by john james audubon 1946 5th print ebay. May 31, 2018 ornithologist john james audubon labored over his lifes masterwork, the birds of america, from 1827 to 1838.
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. John james audubon 17851851 was for half a century north americas dominant nature artist, as well as the first in the region to conduct birdbanding experiments. 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. John james audubon jeanjacques audubon april 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was a french american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. Twothirds of north american bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change. Original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for the. Dec 08, 2010 the rare copy of john james audubons birds of america was bought by london dealer michael tollemache for. The lifes work of both a lover and observer of birds and nature. Audubons famous work is a must have for every bird or nature enthusiast. Jan 19, 2012 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 is. Rare birds of america book by john james audubon sells for. The audubon society baby elephant folio roger tory peterson. The birds of america hardcover january 1, 1944 by john james audubon author. 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.
One of the most valuable natural history books ever published, it shows birds in natural positions and in their native habitats. John james audubon created a masterpiece of american art, a collection of paintings titled birds of america published in a series of four enormous volumes from 1827 to 1838. From drawings made in the united states and their territories, john james audubon. Aug 24, 2017 the birds of america audubon, john james on. John james audubon is undoubtedly one of the greatest nature painters and writers in history. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction. Other digitized print materials prints by john james audubon.
Dec 12, 2009 1986 arc identifier 55178 local identifier 306aam22. Ornithologist john james audubon labored over his lifes masterwork, the birds of america, from 1827 to 1838. Very rare 1839 1st edition copy of john james audubons, a synopsis of the birds of america. Jan 09, 2012 as the book was laid out and opened, i realized that i was not at all prepared for its profound beauty. The portraits, when bound, became some of the biggest books ever madeand to. Oct 04, 2011 john james audubon 17851851 was for half a century north america s dominant nature artist, as well as the first in the region to conduct birdbanding experiments. The covers of the book have some wear and light soiling with a little bit of corner wear and edge wear. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The book, published by the natural history museum in london, contains 435 large hand coloured prints of engravings by 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 1840 by john james audubon 7 pdf ebooks on 1 data dvd.
Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. Birds of america by john james audubon sets booksale record. In the 1830s audubon also wrote his ornithological biography which described the habits of the birds he drew. Forty six different species of birds from all parts of the united states are faithfully redrawn from originals by john james aububon 17851851, the most famous american painternaturalist. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north. Like many of his peers he was an avid collector and a passionate hunter. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james audubon, coloring books. Published by crown publishers inc, new york, ny, 1978. Mar, 2001 the book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. 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. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. The birds of america by john james audubon in pictures.
Besides being a remarkable painter, audubon was a great naturalist, and his visual art and writing helped inspire the conservation movement. 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. Excellent art conservation services are provided for all types of two dimension artwork, include. 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 birds of america, volume 7 the birds of america, john james audubon volume 7 of the birds of america. John james audubon dreamed of creating lifesized portraits of every species of bird in north america. 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. An original birds of america, the fourvolume illustrated work by naturalist john james audubon, set a new record for the sale of a printed. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. 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. See more ideas about birds of america, birds and plates. John james audubon 17851851 the birds of america, from.
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