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. $145,000

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.

This classic composition with a pair of birds perched show the feathered pattern of the back of the female bird as well as the less patterned front of the male. Audubon's attention to detail includes the bird's adaptation to the Arctic cold showing the fine tufts of feathers that insulate their legs down to the toes. The massive white birds are shown to great advantage against an inky blue-black night sky. It is one of only three nocturnal scenes included in the Birds of America. This charismatic pair engages the veiwer with their wide golden eyes. It is considered one of audubon's top plates from the Birds of America.

Tam O'Neill Fine Arts

311 Detroit St. Denver, CO 80206

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