Books

New York: Roe Lockwood & Son, 1861. The Birds of America, from Drawings Made in the United States and Their Territories by John James Audubon, F.R.S., Re-issued by J[ohn] W[oodhouse] Audubon. New York. Roe Lockwood & Son, Publishers 1861. Seven volumes, bound in five, each measuring 7.25" wide by 10.25" tall (superroyal octavo?). 246pp., 199pp., 233pp., 321pp, 346pp, 456pp, 372pp, iv. Illustrated with many text-cuts [Zimmer calls for 97 figures]. The lithographed double elephant FOLIO VOLUME OF PLATES published a year earlier (1860), is NOT present. Bound in full gilt-tooled maroon leather with 5 raised bands. All edges gilt. The bindings are in Poor-Fair condition. A few front and rear boards are no longer attached, although all are still present. Some marbled endpapers are also separated. Two of the spines have partially perished; one is mostly gone, the other is a third missing. INTERNAL CONDITION IS FINE with no foxing. Textblocks are crisp, clean and could easily be recased with no sewing required since the PAGES IN EACH VOLUME ARE STILL TIGHTLY BOUND TOGETHER. This is apparently the seven volume "Text only" edition, issued by Roe Lockwood & Son in 1861, as described by Anker. At the end of the final volume is a four-page "Index to the Folio Volume of Plates." See Anker 19 (in BIRD BOOKS AND BIRD ART, p. 95). According to Zimmer this is the "only edition of Audubon's work, subsequent to the first, 1827-38 with the plates in double elephant. [Only about 150 plates of the intended 435 were issued before production was interrupted] by the Civil War and never resumed� The text. is that of the original 8vo and the 1859-60 reprint, but does not run page for page with either." -- Zimmer p. 24 (in CATALOGUE OF THE EDWARD E. AYER ORNITHOLOGICAL LIBRARY). Oversize Hardcover. 7.25" wide by 10.25" This large, heavy set will require extra postage for Priority and International shipments, but only the standard charge for media mail. 1861 edition, re-issued by J. W. Audubon. Oversize Hardcover (heavy). Binding poor; internally Fine. 7 volumes, bound in 5. 1861 edition, re-issued by J. W. Audubon.

"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.