Audubon Aquatint, Blue-Winged Yellow Warbler

AUDUBON, John James (1785 - 1851).
Blue-Winged Yellow Warbler, Plate 20.
Aquatint engraving with original hand color.
London: Robert Havell, 1827-1838.
39 1/2" x 26 1/2" sheet.

Provenance: John Vickers Painter's Collection, Deckled Uncut.

Comparable: Christie's, 1/18/2001 - $9,400; Christie's, 6/25/2004 - $7,170.

This pretty little Warbler is migratory, and arrives in Louisiana from the south in the beginning of spring. It is found in open woods, as well as in the vicinity of ponds overgrown with low bushes and rank weeds. Along with a pair of Blue-winged Yellow Warblers, I have represented a species of Hibiscus, which grows on the edges of these ponds. Its flowers are handsome, but unfortunately have no pleasant odour.

Of the roughly 180 sets of Audubon produced from 1827-1838, we know of only six that were never bound (one for King William, one in Moscow and 4 others). These aquatints come from one of the unbound sets owned by John Vickers Painter in Cleveland in the 1880's. Because it was never bound, they have huge untrimmed paper sheets of approximately 39 1/2" x 26 1/2" in size, while a standard bound Audubon has a paper size of 38 5/8" x 25 3/4". To collectors, a full uncut sheet makes a tremendous difference. Beyond this, they are in mint original condition with no restoration, and color with the highest level of gradations creating compelling dimension and depth.