Books

3 volumes. Illustrated with 155 glorious hand-colored lithographic plates, protected by tissue guards. xvi, 383, [1 blank]; [iv], 334; vi, 348 pages. Royal 8vo, bound in original full brown morocco with ornate blind-stamped decorative covers and spines; marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. (Beautiful bindings are slightly rubbed; virtually spotless interiors). New York: George R. Lockwood, (no date, circa 1870). Fourth octavo edition. The folio edition containing 150 plates was published between 1845-48. A supplementary volume with only 6 plates came in 1854. These were hastily followed by the octavo in 31 parts (1849-51-54), "A miniature copy of the large edition" as the Audubons described it. The bound octavo edition has the same dates and contains 155 plates, being all those from the original folio, plus 5 of the 6 from the supplement. This edition, circa 1870, is published by Lockwood who took possession of the lithographic stones after Audubon's bankruptcy. The quality of the plates were not diminished in these later printings. "In the 1830s, Audubon began to gather material for his Viviparous Quadrupeds. Meant to complete his record of animal life in North America. The contributors to the project included John Bachman, a naturalist and Lutheran minister, who wrote all of the descriptions and acted as scientific editor for the work, and Audubon's two sons, John Woodhouse and Victor. With his sons, Audubon collected and drew specimens in the Eastern woodlands, Missouri, and the Rocky Mountains, as well as in coastal regions of Florida and the East coast. Although Audubon's health and eyesight began to fail, he managed to complete 77 drawings before illness kept him from his work. Together, the three men, along with Bachman, produced an unequaled record of American wildlife. Like the Birds of America, the Quadrupeds are wonderfully animated, superbly rendered, and beautifully printed." Sabin 2368; Nissen 163; McGill/Wood 208; Bennett 5; Phillips Sporting 27; Meisel II 468.

'Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America' is another notable work by John James Audubon, initially intended to complement 'The Birds of America'. It provides detailed illustrations and descriptions of North American mammals.