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. John james audubon s most popular book is birds of america. The birds of america, the viviparous quadrupeds of north america achieved an impressive 3,770,000 usd. The birds of america is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon, containing. Through the book, audubon discovered 25 new species and 12 new subspecies. But, despite his frequent later residencies in europe promoting and overseeing the production of the birds. This piece, depicting a hutchinss barnacle goose, comes from the amsterdam edition of john james audubon s birds of america and is identified as plate number cclxxvii in the upper right corner of the image. Christies auction house in manhattan identified the. Birds of america by john james audubon sets booksale record. But birds of america by john james audubon, made in 1827, was just sold in auction to an anonymous collector. For more than 100 years, audubon has inspired people to enjoy, appreciate and protect the natural world. A complete first edition set of john james audubons gloriously illustrated the birds of america 18271838 goes up for auction june 14. But calling john james audubon s masterpiece of ornithological art, the birds of america, a book is to stretch the limits of the term.
J ohn james audubon, whose name is synonymous with american ornithology, was born in les cayes, haiti then saintdomingue in 1785, and lived in france from the ages of five to eighteen. This lot includes audubon by constance rourke 1936, a copy on the road with john james audubon signed by authors mary durant and michael harwood 1980, audubon s birds of america. Books by national audubon society author of national. Mar 26, 2015 timeless illustrations from birds of america by ornithologist, artist, and naturalist john james audubon.
This lot consists of the limited edition audubon lithograph shown in the corresponding images. National audubon society has 199 books on goodreads with 16014 ratings. Sothebys auctions audubon items by stinnett, donna b. Christies auctions first edition of audubons the birds. The four volumes are three feet tall and among them contain. The collection of bird songs and calls featured in the birds of north america field guide on the national audubon society website is comprised of over. Birds of america held the record for the most money paid at auction for any. Includes two book club edition hardcovers, the audubon book of true nature stories 1958 and audubon s birds of america, first printing 1950. I checked out this book from my library, hoping it had the full collection of birds from audubon s birds of america, but alas the copy by library had only featured 30 color prints from the original book, with a catalog of the remaining 470 prints printed in blackandwhite thumbnails in the back of the book. National audubon society field guide to north american.
A first edition of birds of america and a set of audubon s. 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. 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. Birds of america by john james audubon sets booksale.
On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. View john james audubon s 5,929 artworks on artnet. Audubon, john james, roger tory peterson, and virginia. Past show featuring works by larry rivers, kristen schiele, pedro barbeito, kent williams, alfred steiner, jorge santos, aaron johnson, thomas frontini, nelson loskamp, eve wood, david jacobs, patrick. National book auctions reserves the right to relist in a later auction, any lots for which payment is not received within ten days of the auction and in that event, the bidder agrees to pay national book auctions.
At sothebys auction house in london, up on the block was audubon s masterpiece, the birds of america, one of the largest and rarest books in the world which fetched over ten million. Guide to north american birds national audubon society. The book, which was written by saverio manetti and illustrated by. Eastern region, revised edition paperback september 27, 1994. An employee poses with a page depicting a snowy owl, from john james audubon s book birds of america during a photocall for the frederick, 2nd lord hesketh collection, at sothebys. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubon s doubleelephant folio of the birds. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. This is the national audubon societys collection of john james audubon s birds of the world series. The winning bid was a record auction price for a printed book and was placed by londonbased art dealer michael tollemache, who outbid three. Audubon s birds of america, the national audubon society baby elephant folio. His major work, a colorplate book entitled the birds of america 18271839, is considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed.
Collection of audubon books and nature programs ebth. Cloth on boards with dust jacket included, lavishly illustrated in color. Audubon s auctioneers is the leading auction house of south jersey. Located in audubon, new jersey, the auction house is a friendly place where you can. See more ideas about audubon birds, john james audubon and birds of america.
These are in mint condition, and come in a special folder book. Guide to collecting john james audubon the value of. This set of first day covers from around the world features magnificent artwork by the greatest of all bird painters. Audubon, john james, roger tory peterson, and virginia marie peterson. Featuring nearly 700 vivid, fullcolor photographs, they. A copy of john james audubon s early19thcentury illustrated birds of america sold in london tonight for 7. One of the most valuable illustrated books ever produced, a first edition of john james audubon s the birds of america, went up for auction at christies in new york, june 14th, and sold for usd. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america.
The national audubon society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the americas using science, advocacy, education, and ontheground conservation. National audubon society 1990 western birds field guide book. What makes audubon s the birds of america such a great and desirable book. A lot of nine books about the american ornithologist and naturalist john james audubon. Twothirds of north american bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change. John james audubon was an american artist and naturalist best known for his detailed paintings of north american birds. Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news.
A vintage book of bird illustrations by john james audobon was the third most expensive printed book purchased at an auction. Following that success, he returned to america and set out to issue a smaller version that would include more birds. The birds of america is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon, containing illustrations of a wide variety of birds of the united states. In the meantime, you can reach out to the mass audubon shop in lincoln to inquire about any products, including these top picks. National audubon societys most popular book is national audubon society field gu. Popular edition 1950, john james audubon 1954, up the missouri with audubon.
Birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover abebooks. At the age of six he began with sea shells, and soon graduated to coins, the gateway drug to. 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. The auction was a rare chance to own one of the best preserved editions of the 19th century masterpiece, with its 435 handcoloured illustrations. National audubon society bird song collection music of. One of the highlights among the 33 audubon prints in the bonhams auction is snowy owl pl. National audubon society field guide to north american birds. A silent auction of rare audubon prints, natural history. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1988 ratings.
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