Audubon Book Gallery
Greetings! Welcome to our new Audubon Book Gallery. The book gallery contains a variety of book related information and reference information about John James Audubon and other similar artists. Whether you are interested in learning more about John James Audubon or just browsing through the site to see what is here I hope you will find a variety of items of interest in this gallery. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or need additional information on anything here.
New Books About John James Audubon
The Double Elephant Folio: The Story of Audubon’s Birds of America
by Waldemar H. Fries
ISBN: 0-9770829-0-3
Often called "The Bible of Audubon Enthusiasts", The Double Elephant Folio describes the creation of John James Audubon's Birds of America from 1826-1838. The Double Elephant Folio includes a detailed provenance of each set, including sets that were broken up or destroyed. This is the 2006 edition, which has an introduction by Susanne M. Low, an established Audubon expert. Brand new hardcover in dust jacket.
Old/Rare Books By and About Audubon
Audubon and His Journals
by Maria R. Audubon
With zoological and other notes by Elliot Coues. In two (2) volumes. Published in 1898. London, John C. Nimmo.
"With Thirty-seven Illustrations, including Three hitherto unpublished Bird Drawings, and Ten Portraits of Audubon"
This is the first UK edition. Volume 1 is 532 pages and volume 2 is 554 pages.
Contents include: The European Journals, 1826-1829, The Labrador Journal, 1833, The Missouri River Journals, 1843 and numerous "episodes".
Condition is good.
Ornithological Biography, or an Account of the Habits of the Birds of the United States of America; Accompanied by Descriptions of the Objects Represented in the Work Entitled The Birds of America, and Interspersed with Delineations of American Scenery and Manners.
by John James Audubon
Volumes 1, 2 and 3 ONLY
Edinburgh & London [etc. ]: Printed by Neill & Co. (Edinburgh) for Adam & Charles Black (Edinburgh) and R. Havell Jun., and Longman, Rees, Brown and Green (London), and various others, 1831. Vol. I, II and III only (of 5), octavo. (10 5/8 x 6 5/8 inches). 15pp. prospectus for "Birds of America" at the back of vol. I (incorporating a 4pp. list of subscribers, as issued). 20th century red cloth, lettered in gilt on spine.
Condition is good.
The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America - Volume I
by John James Audubon and the Rev. John Bachman
Published by J.J. Audubon, New York, 1846.
This is the first volume only of the text written for the Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. Hard back, no dust jacket. This book is text only, there are no prints. The cover is faded and worn. Book overall is worn. Text is toned but not heavily foxed as one might expect, and very readable. It did not come from the same set as Volume II listed below.
The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America - Volume II
by John James Audubon and the Rev. John Bachman
Published by V.G. Audubon, 1851.
This is the second volume only of the text written for the Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America. Hard back, no dust jacket. This book is text only, there are no prints. The cover is faded and worn with watermarks. Book overall is worn. Front cover is almost coming off from the spine. Text is toned but not heavily foxed as one might expect, and very readable.
Audubon the Naturalist
by Mrs. Horace St. John
Published by C. S. Francis & Company, New York, 1856, revised & corrected, with additions.
This tiny book is 5x7", and has 311 pages plus 24 pages of illustrated ads. The really interesting about this particular book that would not be found in the later editions is an ad for all of Audubon's publications to date. The ad itself shows what Audubon's books sold for in 1856 and what options were available at the time for purchase. This page shows the ad close up and is very readable.
Condition overall is good but worn, the front hard cover is almost separated from the spine. Book is not heavily foxed and is very readable.
Books By and About Other Artists
Wilson's American Ornithology with Notes By Jardine: To Which is Added a Synopsis of American Birds, Including Those Described By Bonaparte, Audubon, Nuttall, and Richardson. 1853.
by Brewer, T.M.
Published by H.S. Samuels, New York, 1853.
Octavo sized hardcover book with 746 pages. Pencil inscription on front cover, plates present but not colored. Covers worn; internally good, with light foxing throughout.
Alfred Jacob Miller - 5 Original Chromolithographs, 1854
from the book:
Wild Scenes and Song-Birds. By C.W. Webber, With Twenty Illustrations, Printed in Colors, from Drawings by Mrs. C.W. Webber and Alfred J. Miller
Published by New York: George P. Putnam and Company, 10 Park Place, 1854. This is a first edition.
The book contains 15 ornithological plates after the art work of Mrs. Webber and 5 scenes of Native American life based on Alfred Jacob Miller’s original art work, all lithographed by the Rosenthal firm in Philadelphia.
Please note that while I am emphasizing the Alfred Jacob Miller chromolithographs in this description that they are still bound into the original book published in 1854, shown on the left.
These were some of the very earliest chromolithographs to be created, and Alfred Jacob Miller only had 10 images of his, of which 5 are found in this book, ever done as chromolithographs. The other 5 were in the first book written by C.W. Webber several years earlier. It is not known exactly how many copies of the two books were produced.
Plate listing of Miller’s chromolithographs, each measuring approximately 13.2 x 19 cm (image, imprint, and title):
1) Indian Girl Swinging [below image] Miller pinx. | L.N. Rosenthal’s Cromo Lith. Phila.
2) Encampment of Indians [below image] Miller pinx. | L.N. Rosenthal’s Cromo Lith. Phila.
3) Indian Caressing His Horse [below image] Miller pinx. | L.N. Rosenthal’s Cromo Lith. Phila.
4) Toilet of the Indian Girls [below image] Miller pinx. | L.N. Rosenthal’s Cromo Lith. Phila.
5) The Peaceful Valley [below image] Miller pinx. | L.N. Rosenthal’s Cromo Lith. Phila.
This book was reissued several times and the two plates containing bare-breasted Indians (Toilet of the Indian Girls and Indian Girl Swinging) were replaced with clothed Indian girls. Also the print titled "Antelope Chase" is actually labelled "The Peaceful Valley" on the chromolithograph plate itself, while the book refers to it as "Antelope Chase". This is another change or correction that occurred with later editions of the book.
This book does have some condition issues - the front cover is completely separated from the book. Also, there is an ink stain on the top of the book, that extends two or three centimeters onto the pages, and can be seen on Encampment of Indians - right hand edge and Toilet of the Indian Girls, left hand edge. There is some light soiling throughout and a little foxing however the pages are crisp and clean overall. It is a beautiful book with tissue guards and gilt edges.
|
|
|
|
|
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")
 "Click to Enlarge")