Books

New York: Abbeville Press, 1981. First edition thus. Slipcased. Fine. Deluxe facsimile edition of John James Audubon's "Birds of America", bound in quarter leather, gilt title, with the deluxe slipcase, illustrated label titled and image of a pelican. Audubon's artistic illustrations are organized and annotated by Roger Tory Peterson and Virginia Marie Peterson, with a systematic arrangement of the prints with modern classification by species with descriptive captions. Baby elephant folio (15 x 14") with approximately 700 pp, unpaginated, sepia color endpapers. The text is divided into 11 divisions, with full color illustrations of the birds, explanatory text paired with a b&w illustration. Many of the 482 color illustrations are folding. In total there are 917 illustrations. Bound in quarter brown leather and cream cloth covers, gilt title on spine. Housed in deluxe cloth slipcase. Printed and bound by Toppan Printing, Japan. This magnificent production is a massive volume…

"The Birds of America" is a monumental work by John James Audubon, published as a series between 1827 and 1838. It is one of the most famous and celebrated ornithological works in the world, known for its life-size, hand-colored, engraved plates of birds from the United States. Audubon's work stands out for its combination of artistic beauty and scientific accuracy. The collection features 435 plates, depicting more than 700 bird species, many of which were being documented for the first time. Audubon employed a unique method of mounting dead birds in natural positions on wires as a reference, which helped him create more dynamic illustrations. His attention to detail and commitment to depicting birds in their natural habitats made "The Birds of America" not only a major scientific achievement but also an artistic masterpiece. Audubon's work had a significant impact on ornithology and art in the 19th century, contributing to the burgeoning interest in bird study and conservation in America and Europe. The original editions of "The Birds of America" are among the most sought-after and valuable books in the world, prized by collectors and institutions for their historical and aesthetic value.

By checking plate numbers, watermark presence, and paper quality.