John james audubon the birds of america sothebys auction. 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. The original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for the birds of america, published american heritage publishing co. Sale n10256view print cataloguesothebys is delighted to be offering an early subscribers copy of audubons double elephant. John james audubon was an american artist and naturalist best known for his detailed paintings of north american birds. This book includes chapters that will help the collector identify and authenticate prints from all of. Sale n10256view print cataloguesothebys is delighted to be offering an early subscribers copy of audubons double elephant folioincomparably the most important and most beautiful colorplate book ever published, containing 435 magnificant handcolored etched plates, depicting in life size 1,065 birds representing 489 supposed species.
Birds of america by john james audubon sets booksale. Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner. One of the highlights among the 33 audubon prints in the bonhams auction is snowy owl pl. 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. It also contains all 155 images of the 1st octavo edition of the quadrupeds of north america, along with audubon and the rev.
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. John james audubon paintings for sale heritage auctions. Sothebys announces that an early subscribers edition of john james audubons incomparable the birds of america will be offered in a singlelot sale immediately following sothebys fine books and manuscripts auction on 18 december. Published between 182738 in an edition of around 200, the birds of america represents the culmination of audubon s life work as a. But birds of america by john james audubon, made in 1827, was. To commemorate the books recordbreaking sale, the museum decided to display its copy for which the museum eventually paid 2200 guildersa. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. Tracking the most expensive book a copy of audubons birds of. For years, audubons birds held the record for the highest price ever reached at auction. The birds of america is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon, containing. Audubon once noted laconically in his journal, i enjoyd nature. Audubon print prices, audubon price guides, and price.
John james audubon the birds of america sotheby s auction catalog october 18 and 19, 1985 unknown binding january 1, 1985 4. 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. Part naturalist and part artist, audubon possessed an unequaled ability to observe, catalog. An original copy of john james audubons early19th century illustrated birds of america is officially the worlds most expensive book. On 14 june, the birds of america will be offered in a dedicated sale, the portland audubon, at christies in new york. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction in new york city. The american flamingo plate from the double elephant folio version of the birds of america by john james audubon. Sothebys to offer audubons iconic birds of america in. Bids for birds and beyond is your chance to enjoy the excitement of an auction in the safety and comfort of your home, with chances to win exclusive birding tours led by audubon naturalists, an opportunity to have a wild roseate spoonbill named after you, and other fun prizes in support of audubon florida programs around the state.
But calling john james audubons masterpiece of ornithological art, the birds of america, a book is to stretch the limits of the term. 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. The birds of america from original drawings by john james audubon. Center programs include wildlife rehabilitation and research, conservation education and outreach initiatives, and eaglewatch a citizen science program monitoring nearly 30%. Citizens of the feathered tribe audubon s the birds of america offered in a dedicated sale in new york on 14 june, this exceptional example of the most valuable illustrated book ever produced and an icon of american art was sold to benefit environmental causes. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. To commemorate the books recordbreaking sale, the museum decided to display its copy for which the museum eventually paid 2200 guilders a.
On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction. Christies auctions first edition of audubons the birds. A rare copy of audubons birds of america could break. Through the book, audubon discovered 25 new species and 12 new subspecies. Offered in a dedicated sale in new york on 14 june, this exceptional example of the most valuable illustrated book ever produced and an icon of american. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. Flynn has included in his price guide tables ebay realized auction price values for all antique and modern audubon prints that are commonly sold on that internet auction site.
Published between 182738 in an edition of around 200, the birds of america represents the culmination of audubons life work as. 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. Theres a good reason that the book commands such high. Christies auction house in manhattan identified the. Get the best deals for audubon birds of america book at. The birds of america from original drawings by john james.
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. It was pushed down a notch last fall when a copy of the bay psalm book. Original audubon havell edition produced 18261837 prints for sale. The four volumes are three feet tall and among them contain. Find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. Cxxi, 1831, from the havell edition of birds of america. The 2000 sale also set a record for the most expensive printed book ever sold at auction at that time, not surpassed until the hesketh copy a decade later. Also including the birds of america, published the macmillan company, 1937. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds of america with the same or similar title. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubon s doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction in new york city.
As early as november of 1826, shortly after lizars had begun the engraving of the birds of america, audubon had written in his journal. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. See available prints and multiples, works on paper, and paintings for sale and learn about the artist. At sothebys auction house in london, up on the block was audubons masterpiece, the birds of america, one of the largest and rarest books in. The sale was led by the birds of america 182738, four monumental volumes of 435 handcolored aquatint plates depicting all of the thenknown species of birds found in the united states. It was a passing remark, but it could stand as an epitaph for either man. Audubon prints birds of america havell edition prints. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. This is the first time in golden gate audubon s 103year history that it has sponsored an online auction of bird art. Citizens of the feathered tribe audubons the birds of america. Rare birds of america book by john james audubon sells for. The book, which was sold by the auction house sothebys, was purchased by micahel tollemache, a london.
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