Audubon's Birds of America Octavo

AUDUBON, John James (1785–1851).
The Birds of America, from Drawings made in the United States and Their Territories.
New York: J. J. Audubon; Philadephia: J. B. Chevalier 1840–1844.
Comparable: Christie’s, 2005 - $132,000.
7 volumes, 8vo (10” x 6 1/2”). 500 handcolored lithographed plates after Audubon by W. E. Hitchcock, R. Trembly, and others, printed and colored by J. T. Bowen, numerous wood engraved text illustrations (some full-page), half-titles and subscribers’ lists in each volume, moderate foxing and scattered spotting but most pronounced in vol. 2, some toning occasionally accompanied by faint text offsetting to blank plate versos, upper inside corners of about 6 plates in vol. 6 stained, plates 296 (Pinneated Grouse) and 341 (Wilson’s Phalarope) shaved at the top just touching wingtips, occasional marginal staining to text and one large stain affecting p. 90 in vol. 7. Half blue morocco by Stikeman over blue marbled boards, spines in 6 compartments lettered gilt, marbled endpapers, edges gilt; spines faded to brown, joint rubbed. FIRST OCTAVO EDITION. After completing the double-elephant folio edition at great expense in England, Audubon returned to the United States and used the Philadelphia firm of Bowen to produce a more profitable octavo version under the super vision of his sons. The subscription price was $100, making it an expensive but appealing work for affluent individuals and well-endowed institutions. It enjoyed tremendous commercial success, with the initial offering attracting over 700 subscribers, and firmly established Audubon’s reputation as the greatest ornithologist of his time. The octavo edition added 65 new images to the original plate count of the double-elephant folio. REFERENCES: Ayer/Zimmer, p. 22; Bennett, p. 5; McGill/Wood p. 208; Nissen IVB 51; Reese, American Color Plates Books 34; Sabin 2364; cf. Tyler, Audubon’s Great National Work.