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John James Audubon (1785-1851). Bird of Washington - Plate XI (Havell Edition)....
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Description
John James Audubon (1785-1851). Bird of Washington - Plate XI (Havell Edition).An impressive hand-colored aquatint engraving by R. Havell from the first edition of The Birds of America (London: 1827-1838). Watermarked "J Whatman / Turkey Mill 1835." Plate not dated. General toning to paper; faint mat burn. A couple of tears and chips to bottom edge. Mounting and repair tape to reverse. Light penciled notations. Sheet has been trimmed unevenly along left side: width at top is 25 inches across, and width at bottom is 24 inches. Height of sheet measures 38 inches.
More Information: John James Audubon (1785-1851), the Haitian-born Frenchman who spent most of his life in the United States, is, without question, the greatest and most influential painter of birds in the history of ornithological illustration. His masterpiece, the Birds of America (1827-1838), took twelve years of meticulous work to complete. The 435 hand-colored aquatint engravings, masterfully rendered by Robert Havell, were originally printed on huge double elephant folio paper, depicting North American birds in their full life-size glory. This original "Havell Edition" is the first and most sought-after printing, and it is estimated that only 175 complete sets of this edition were produced. In 1842 Audubon issued the "Octavo Edition," a smaller format (and more affordable) edition intended to reach a larger audience. The "Bien Edition"- a collection of chromolithograph reissues - appeared between 1858 and 1860, but was left incomplete as the publication was halted by the onset of the Civil War; it is estimated that only 75 sets of this edition were issued. Audubon's last work was The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America, a study of mammals published in both an imperial folio format by J. T. Bowen as well as an octavo edition by Lockwood & Co. Not only was Audubon a superb wildlife painter, but he also contributed significantly to the study of bird anatomy and behavior. John James Audubon's influential and groundbreaking work occupies a monumental place of honor in the pantheon of ornithological art.
Auction Info
2009 June Grand Format Rare Books Auction #6025 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2009
16th-17th
Tuesday-Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 5
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 5,805
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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