John James Audubon.The Birds of America.
First edition Engraved by Havell. London 1824-38. 38.5 x 25.75 inches. Aquatint engraving with hand coloring.
$5500

Audubon's Birds of America remains the single most important ornithological work ever produced. At no time in the history of America has there been a work comparable in either scope or beauty. Audubon's ambitious goal was to travel throughout the United States recording, in life size, every bird native to the country. This was the first life-size depiction of the birds of North America showing them in natural poses amongst the flora of their habitats. The work remains over a century and a half later the paradigm work of American ornithology. In production for over fourteen years the complete set included 435 magnificent hand-colored engravings. Each image was painstakingly engraved into the massive copper plates. After hand inking the plate and pulling the individual strike, each image was then water-colored by hand to replicate Audubon's original drawing. The paper was the finest available in the period and bears the "Whatman Turkey-Mill" watermark. The colossal size of the sheets and presented a huge challenge to the engravers, but allowed for an amazing amount of detail.

Audubon rendered the Black Backed Gull after being shot. This is one of only three birds included that includes the narrative aspect of the hunt. Audubon created the painting of the bird in the summer of 1832 and in December provided Havell with a painting of the bird's foot which is incorporated in the upper right corner of the plate.

Tam O'Neill Fine Arts

311 Detroit St. Denver, CO 80206

For More Information call 1-(800)-4-AUDUBON
1-(800)-428-3826