Often cited as the most expensive book of all time, there are still 120 known intact copies of john james audubons the birds of america which was published between 1827 and 1838. The birds of america is one of the best known natural history books ever produced and also the most valuable a. His landmark work, birds of america 1838, consisted of 435 lifesize prints that were published in batches of five over the course of thirteen years. The birds of america from original drawings by john james audubon. One of the most valuable natural history books ever published, it shows birds in natural positions and in their native habitats.
As part of my research for the lost bird project, i was graciously given access to the audubon double folio housed in the rare books library at. There is nothing in the world of fine books quite like t. The book, published by the natural history museum in london, contains 435 large hand coloured prints of engravings by john james audubon. A synopsis of the birds of north america john james audubon full view 1839. Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. This first edition of birds of america by john james audubon, originally bought by the duke of portland some time after 1828, is expected to become the worlds most expensive book when it. The birds of america from drawings made in the united states and their territories. John james audubgon was born april 26, 1785 at aux cayes, the son of a french naval officer.
Book awards book club selections books by author books by series coming soon kids books new releases teens books this months biggest new releases. He interspersed these bird biographies with episodes on life in america during this turbulent period. The birds of america the cover shows a louisiana heron, egretta tricolor authorjohn james audubon original titlethe birds of america. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Because the prints were extremely large and had to be handcolored by a team of. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition abebooks. Birds of america by john james audubon sets booksale. John james audubon, unknown introduction edition language. The watercolors for the birds of america paperback august 25, 1994 by holly hatchner editor. Gathered from that illustrative masterpiece, 120 meticulous reproductions, rendered in fullcolor, are showcased in this unequaled. The birds of america, john james audubon volume 6 of the birds of america.
Carolina parrot carolina parrot, handcoloured engraving and aquatint by robert havell, jr. I checked out this book from my library, hoping it had the full collection of birds from audubons 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. John james audubon books list of books by author john. Gathered from that illustrative masterpiece, 120 meticulous reproductions, rendered in fullcolor, are showcased in this unequaled treasury. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to.
It was printed by macmillan company in 1946 and it is a fifth edition. Including the redwinged blackbird, painted bunting, wood duck, great blue heron, rubythroated hummingbird. A synopsis of the birds of north america by john james audubon free ebook project gutenberg. Mar, 2001 the book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000. A synopsis of the birds of north america john james audubon. John james audubons most popular book is birds of america. A synopsis of the birds of north america john james. 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.
Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to fetch. First edition of john james audubons birds of america book sold. Popular edition of john james audubons 1785 1851 illustrations of birds of america begun in 1840. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubon s work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. John james audubon is undoubtedly one of the greatest nature painters and writers in history. The birds of america absorbed audubons attention for much of his life and its publication took nearly 12 years to complete. The university of pittsburgh is fortunate to own one of the rare, complete sets of john james audubons birds of america. John james audubon 1785 1851 was an ornithologist of the early 19th century responsible for creating the largest and most beautiful illustrated bird book. Popular edition of john james audubon s 1785 1851 illustrations of birds of america begun in 1840. The publishers of which i am aware include welcome rain, laurel glen, and wordsworth. Birds of america by john james audubon, first edition. John james audubons paintings and descriptions of the birds of north america remain the gold standard against which all ornithological portraits are judged. The birds of america by john james audubon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
The sevenvolume birds of america includes images of six nowextinct birds. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. The birds of america by john james audubon alibris. The audubon society baby elephant folio roger tory peterson. Nearly all later ornithological works were inspired by audubons artistry and high standards, and birds of america is considered one of the greatest examples of book. Audubons birds of america coloring book by john james. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1946 ratings. Macmillan co publisher with lithographs by duenewald printing. Buy the birds of america complete ed of audubon s classic work by john james audubon isbn. John james audubon jeanjacques audubon april 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was a french american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. If you follow them, you will not only have a great deal of coloring pleasure, but you will also learn how to identify many important birds. The birds of america by john james audubon, hardcover. First published in double elephant size approximately a metre tall in the first half of the nineteenth century, it is famous for.
John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds. The national audubon society has recently made john james audubons. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubons birds of america with the same or similar title. See all books authored by john james audubon, including the birds of america, and the art of audubon. Audubons birds of america coloring book john james audubon on. John james audubon 17851851 was not the first person to attempt to paint and describe all the birds of america alexander wilson has that distinction, but for half a century he was the young countrys dominant wildlife artist. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. His handcolored masterpiece, the birds of america, is considered one of the worlds greatest picture books and represents the very pinnacle of nature illustration.
Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north. Do not confuse this book with other books reproducing audubon s birds of america with the same or similar title. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Audubons birds of america by audubon, hardcover barnes.
John james audubon is best known for the birds of america, a book of 435 images, portraits of every bird then known in the united states painted and reproduced in the size of life. All 435 illustrations from john j audubons birds of america are. The birds of america hardcover 1944 by john james audubon author. Iii and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Edition of john james audubons masterpiece of ornithological art, one of only 120, expected to break auction records. Buy the birds of america complete ed of audubons classic work by john james audubon isbn. Audubon the birds of america hardcover published by crown hardcover, 124 pages authors. A9 1827 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.
Birds of america john james audubon bauman rare books. Jan 19, 2012 this first edition of birds of america by john james audubon, originally bought by the duke of portland some time after 1828, is expected to become the worlds most expensive book when it is. John james audubon set out to find and draw every species of bird in america in 1820. The birds of america is actually a collection of four books containing 435 doubleelephant folio pages, measuring 39. The audubon reader by john james audubon, hardcover. Page 67 cover the surface, and the birds greedily swallow them until they are completely gorged. Page 67 cover the surface, and the birds greedily swallow them until they are completely gorged, after which they walk to the nearest margins, place themselves in long rows, with their breasts all turned towards the sun, in the manner of pelicans and vultures, and thus remain for an hour or. Audubon s birds of america coloring book john james audubon on.
Because the prints were extremely large and had to be handcolored by a team of painters, the cost of creating the original sets was exorbitant. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The birds of america, is considered one of the worlds greatest picture books and represents the very pinnacle of nature illustration. Nearly all later ornithological works were inspired by audubon s artistry and high standards, and birds of america is considered one of the greatest examples of book.
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. The birds of america by john james audubon in pictures. Highresolution images courtesy of the john james audubon center at mill grove, audubon, pa, and the montgomery county, pa, audubon collection. The audubon reader by john james audubon, hardcover barnes.
Birds pictorial works publication date 18271838 pages435 lc classql674. Audubons original plates, numbered to correspond to the pages of the book, have been reproduced in color on the covers. The audubon reader allows us to experience audubons distinctive voice directly and provides a window into his electrifying encounter with early america. Audubon s original plates, numbered to correspond to the pages of the book, have been reproduced in color on the covers. John james audubon 17851851 the birds of america, from. In the 19th century it was the usual practice for bird illustrators to work exclusively from preserved specimens, but audubon found this less than ideal. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubons work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. Dec 12, 2009 1986 arc identifier 55178 local identifier 306aam22. From drawings made in the united states and their territories. The book was published in several editions between 1997 and 2000.