Books

New York: George R. Lockwood, 1871. Seventh (final) Octavo Edition of The Birds of America and fourth (final) Octavo Edition of The Quadrupeds of North America. Hardcover. Half green levant over marbled boards. Very Good. John James Audubon, illustrator. Royal octavo. 10 x 6.75 inches. Two works bound as a set of 11 volumes, consisting of the seventh (final) Octavo Edition of The Birds of America in 8 volumes and the fourth (final) Octavo Edition of The Quadrupeds of North America in 3 volumes. Complete texts present: Audubon for The Birds, Audubon and Bachman for The Quadrupeds. Brief biography of John James Audubon, written by George R. Lockwood, included in Volume I of The Birds. Tinted, hand-colored, black-ink lithographic plates, 100 of birds and 31 of mammals, printed on thin cotton-rag paper. Please note: Only 100 of the originally issued 500 plates of birds, and 31 of the originally issued 155 plates of quadrupeds, are present. The remaining original plates were not included…

"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.