Books

Six volumes (1 through 6) of seven. Second octavo edition. Tall octavos. Size of bindings: 6 3/4 in. x 10 1/2 in., illustrated with 420 hand-colored lithographic plates of birds, with colored backgrounds, with tissue guards (420 of 500). Olive green morocco leather (which has faded to brown) spine, sides and corner-pieces, with marbled-paper over boards, and matching marbled endpapers; bound by Ringer for A. C. McClurg & Co., with its stamp on the endpapers; featuring five raised bands on the spine with gilt titling; top-edges gilt. The cover corners show light wear, some scattered spotting to some text pages, some light, age-related tanning to a few of the plate margins. With the bookplates of Cleveland, Ohio-based book collector, William G. Mather (1857-1951) on the front marbled paste-downs. The coloring is quite bright and delicate, and very effective on the pastel colored backgrounds.

"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.