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. Google celebrates john james audubon, the man behind those iconic bird drawings and audubon societies everywhere. John james audobon by stephen vincent benet famous poems. The making of an american study guide and get instant access to the following summary. A precise replica of the complete works of john james audubon, comprising the birds of america 184044 and the quadrupeds of north america 185154 in their entirety. Courtesy of the american museum of natural history, new york. The birds of america is a book by naturalist and painter john james audubon, containing. With an avid interest in birds and drawing right from his childhood days, audubon went on to be the most distinguished illustrator of the 19th century.
Guide to collecting john james audubon prints skinner inc. The rare copy of john james audubon s birds of america was bought by london dealer michael tollemache for. John james audubon created a masterpiece of american art, a collection of paintings titled birds of america published in a series of four enormous volumes from 1827 to 1838. John james audubon 1785 1851 united states is an artist born in 1785 the oldest auction result ever registered on the website for an artwork by this artist is a drawingwatercolor sold in 1984, at christies, and the most recent auction result is a printmultiple sold in 2020. John james audubon is best known for his ornithological magnum opus, the birds of america. Shop for john james audubon art from the worlds greatest living artists. Scrambling through a wilderness, floating down a stream, all around america in a feathered dream. All public events are canceled through monday, september 7, 2020. The auction was a rare chance to own one of the best preserved editions of the 19th century masterpiece, with its 435 handcoloured illustrations, seen as a key volume on us natural history. John james audubon books list of books by author john. Edition of john james audubons masterpiece of ornithological art, one of only 120, expected to break auction records. John james audubon, one of the most famous nineteenth century american ornithologists and naturalists, is known for both his romantic life and the beautiful watercolor prints he created. First edition of john james audubons birds of america. See more ideas about john james audubon, audubon birds and audubon prints.
It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838, in edinburgh and london. The bien chromolithographic edition john james audubon. A copy of the worlds most expensive printed book has sold at auction for. Certainly the greatest of american bird books, and possibly one of the finest book productions in the world, audubons birds of america owes much to its authors determination to have his work reproduced by the best possible craftsmen, and to his insistence that his drawings be reproduced lifesize, as he had drawn them. He captured the birds and wildlife of florida through his realistic art. The national audubon society explains, printed between 1827 and 1838, it contains 435 lifesized watercolours of north american birds havell edition, all reproduced from handengraved plates, and is considered to be the archetype of wildlife illustration. A copy of john james audubons birds of america has became the most expensive book ever sold when it went under the hammer at. Audubon originals tips of the trade antiques roadshow. 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 copy of the worlds most expensive book is expected to rake in up to. John james audubon came to america as a dapper eighteenyearold eager to make his fortune. The gallery is closed to the public until further notice. John james audubons most popular book is birds of america. The auction house is selling a firstedition set of john james audubons birds of america 18271838. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia. Audubon created a genre of illustration that didnt exist before. The sothebys sale made it the worlds most expensive printed book. John james audubon paintings for sale heritage auctions.
He was notable for his extensive studies documenting all types of american birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats. In october 1971, employing the most faithful printing method available, the best materials and the ablest craftsmen of their age, the amsterdam firm of theatrum orbis terrarum ltd. 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. John james audubon, also known as jeanjacques audubon, was one of the major contributors of masterpieces to american art. 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. Pretty birds and funny birds, all our native fowl from the little cedar waxwing to the great horned owl. Its very high quality and bright coloured pictures on thick paper, the perfect and most stunning. By 1824 he had begun to consider publication of his bird drawings, but he was advised to seek a publisher in europe, where he would find better engravers and greater interest in. Audubons colorplate book the birds of america 18271839, is widely acclaimed as among the best ornithological studies ever produced.
Audubons most famous publication, the birds of america, is a book containing 435 lifesize imagesportraits of every bird then known in the united states. All john james audubon artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30day moneyback guarantee. A copy of the worlds most expensive book, john james audubons 19thcentury masterpiece birds of america, is set for auction later this month. Let the wind blow hot or cold, let it rain or snow, everywhere the birds went audubon would go. Published between 182738 in an edition of around 200, the birds of america represents the culmination of. I never for a day gave up listening to the songs of our birds, or watching their peculiar habits, or delineating them in the best way. 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. April 26, 1785 january 27, 1851 was an american ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. Written by naturalist john james audubon, the birds of america is one of the most prized and collected books of all time. John james audubon biography facts, childhood, family. He is famous as an american naturalist, ornithologist, and artist. My jaw dropped when i opened the package and saw the book.
Books by john james audubon author of birds of america. Audubon funded the costly printing project through a payasyougo. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this john james audubon. Audubon, john james john james audubon, detail of a portrait by his sons john and victor, late 1840s. Worlds most expensive book, birds of america, set to. 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. Hosting the films world premiere at the 2015 environmental film festival in the nations capital allowed us to honor audubon and his significance as an artist and conservationist. Nearly 200 years later, the audubon prints are coming. Why was audubons book set sometimes called double elephant folio. In addition to the stunning colors and detail in audubons work, it is noteworthy also because of its ambitious scope. A museum quality print of the barred owl by john james audubon for his book the birds of america, this owl is also known as the hooting owl, or hoot owl. 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.
Get the best deals on john james audubon art prints when you shop the largest online selection at. The sale affirmed audubons stature as the worlds most celebrated bird artist, but by at least one standard, the original birds of americaremains an incomplete masterpiece. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Back to summary download this issue a touch of france john james audubon. Collecting the birds of america by audubon, john james. An expert offers some valuable tips for collecting the stunning wildlife prints of john james audubon. Choose your favorite john james audubon designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more. Audubons birds of america, the worlds most expensive book, up for. Rare birds of america book by john james audubon sells for. Get the best deal by comparing prices from over 100,000 booksellers. Often cited as the most expensive book of all time, there are still 120 known intact copies of john. The birds of america was a monumental work by an artist and naturalist obsessed with his work. 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.
Prints by john james audubon digitized materials rare. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Expensive books audubon prints american crow birds of america john james. John james audubons the birds of america book has long been one of the most treasured books of natural history. Today, birds of america is the worlds most expensive book. 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. From a humble beginning in haiti to an adult life spent trekking across north america in study of nature, john james audubon was a selfmade man with a serious fascination for birds and wildlife. A rare copy of audubons birds of america heads to auction to. Audubon the writer national endowment for the humanities. 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. Besides being a remarkable painter, audubon was a great naturalist, and his visual art and writing helped inspire the conservation movement. Although he did not have a home in florida, john james audubon spent time here. John james audubon was an american artist and naturalist best known for his detailed paintings of north american birds.
Audubon vividly captures the remarkable life of john james audubon. John james audubon s birds of america is a portal into the natural world. John james audubon has 175 books on goodreads with 1946 ratings. Living in haiti, france, united states, and england b.