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| J.J. Audubon |
John James Audubon (born Jean Rabin; April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851) was an American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. 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. His major work, a color-plate book entitled The Birds of America (1827–1839), is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed. Audubon identified 25 new species.
For more information see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_James_Audubon
John James Audubon's Birds of America is a portal into the natural world. It contains 435 life-sized watercolours of North American birds (Havell edition), all reproduced from hand-engraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration.
The success of Audubon's first Birds of America brought Audubon Worldwide acclaim. Following that success, he returned to America and set out to issue a smaller version that would include more birds (most newly discovered in the Western U.S.). He decided on a 1/8 or octavo sized sheet measuring about 6-1/2" x 10". He called this set The Royal Octavo Edition of Birds of America. The 1st Edition of 500 plates was lithographed and hand colored by J.T. Bowen in Philadelphia and New York from 1840-44.
For more information see: http://www.auduboninfo.net/articles/audubon_story.htm
The following prints are from Birds of America by J.J. Audubon's "Octavo Edition". This is a private collection and may be available for sale soon. Email for information.
Pl.15 Common Osprey Fish Hawk
Pl. 422 American White Pelican
Pl. 326 Townsend's Oyster-catcher
Pl. 138 Common Mocking Bird
Pl. 369 Great blue Heron
Pl. 405 Eider Duck
Pl. 375 American Flamingo
Pl. 376 Canada Goose
Pl. 424 Brown Pelican
Pl. 379 Brant Goose
Pl. 423 Brown Pelican
Pl. 175 Swamp Sparrow
Pl. 325 Bachman's Oyster-catcher
