Nbirds of american book auctions

Audubon was setting out to create a bird collection in print, and as a collector he was a maximalist. Invaluable is the worlds largest marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles. In fine bird books, sacheverell sitwell proclaimed that there is nothing in the world of fine books quite like the first discovery of audubon. The giant energy of the man, and his power of achievement and. Considered the artists greatest triumph, the oversized fourvolume set that contains 435 handcolored prints of his watercolor drawings, published at great personal expense between 1827 and 1838, is the kind of rare book owned only by institutions and one percenters.

The rare book hub offers tools for the book collector and bookseller, especially old and rare books, antique or antiquarian books, hard to find, out of print, and collectible collectable books. Unfollow birds of america book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Internetonly auctions internet only bidding allows you to place a bid for an item prior to the auction lot closing online. The birds of america by john james audubon, macmillan, 1942. Printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesize watercolors of north american birds havell edition, all reproduced from handengraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration. The new set was bought by the fourth duke of portland at some point after 1838 and is in excellent condition, said christies, through whom it. Also covers rare book auctions, manuscripts, ephemera, broadsides, maps, prints, posters, bibliography, first editions, incunabula and catalogs. John james audubon is best known for his ornithological magnum opus, the birds of america.

A rare copy of john james audubons natural history book birds of america will be offered for sale at sothebys in new york next month. The birds of america used books and rare books from. The birds of america, the viviparous quadrupeds of north america achieved an impressive 3,770,000 usd. At christies, three american animals come facetoface. John james audubon the birds of america sotheby s auction catalog october 18 and 19, 1985 on. The birds of america will be offered in a singlelot sale immediately following our fine books and manuscripts auction on 18 december. Here, i will just present some basic facts and information, prior to the price guide, and refer the reader to virtually any public library for further reading on the subject. In an internetonly auction there is no live auction. A complete first edition set of john james audubons gloriously illustrated the birds of america 18271838 goes up for auction june 14. All categories antiqueshouseholdcollectibles agriculturalfarm automobiles commercialindustrial real estate general benefitcharity heavy equipment online bidding new merchandise storage auctions wholesale auctions real estate farm real estate.

Published between 182738 in an edition of around 200, the birds of america represents the culmination of audubons life work as a naturalistartist, depicting in 435 plates every. John james audubons birds of america holds the record as the worlds most expensive book. The birds of america from original drawings by john james. The undertaking would involve lengthy expeditions through north america to discover and observe all the species he could find.

Also including the birds of america, published the macmillan company, 1937. John audubon the birds of america vol 2 new york chevalier 1. The giant energy of the man, and his power of achievement and accomplishment, give to him something of the epical force of a walt whitman or a herman melville. Webcast auctions webcast auctions allow you to bid in realtime against other bidders or place prebids prior to a. Rare birds of america book by john james audubon sells for. Audubon created a genre of illustration that didnt exist before. John james audubon the birds of america sotheby s auction catalog october 18 and 19, 1985. Christies auctions first edition of audubons the birds. A rare copy of audubons birds of america could break. Rare copy of audubons birds of america for sale science. Double elephant folio x 672 mm and 8vo 266 x 177 mm.

The original watercolor paintings by john james audubon for the birds of america, published american heritage publishing co. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Iii and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Rare book hub rare books, book auctions, antiquarian. John james audubon the birds of america sothebys auction. The doubleelephant folio first edition of john james audubons birds of america was. At sothebys auction house in london, up on the block was audubons masterpiece, the birds of america, one of the largest and rarest books in. Audubons birds of america has long been regarded as one of the greatest books ever produced and perhaps the greatest contribution ever made of art in the service of science. Spine is faded and light wear to cover else very good condition. A 1931 book titled the blue book of birds of america by frank g ashbrook, illustrations by paul moller.

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. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. Considered the artists greatest triumph, the oversized fourvolume set that contains 435 handcolored prints of his watercolor drawings, published at great personal expense between 1827 and 1838, is the kind of rare book owned. Sign up to receive emails announcing skinner auctions and events.

One of the few privately owned copies of john james audubons richly illustrated birds of america sold for 7. John james audubon, 10th printing, excellent condition. Sothebys to offer the birds of america double elephant folio in. The last full edition of the birds of america, which went up for auction in 2010, sold for. John james audubon american, 17851851 heritage auctions. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubons work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. 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 all foregone commission amounts and buyers premiums which would have been earned had the original high bid been paid. I shall publish the letterpress in a separate book, at the same time with the illustrations, and shall accompany the descriptions of the birds with many anecdotes and accounts of localities connected with the. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction in new york city. This large hardbound book is filled with beautiful color reproductions of audubons bird paintings. Original brown paper outer wrappers for folios present but torn, otherwise very minimal wear. The landmark 19 th century work has been described as one of the greatest books ever produced and perhaps the greatest contribution ever made of art in the service of science published between 1827 and 1838, birds of america features lifesized. Reuters a first edition of john james audubons the birds of america, one of the most celebrated books of natural history, is going up for auction in new york.

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 found in the united states. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. John james audubons birds of america is a portal into the natural world. The lifes work of both a lover and observer of birds and nature. Vintage 1931 book the blue book birds of america by frank. As early as november of 1826, shortly after lizars had begun the engraving of the birds of america, audubon had written in his journal. The cast of bart laytons new heist flick gathered to gaze upon a rare copy of the birds of america, which will soon be up for auction the same book their characters steal in the film. Tracking the most expensive book a copy of audubons birds of. On june 14, one of the worlds most expensive books, john james audubons doubleelephant folio of the birds of america, will go to auction. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia.