Books

3 vols. 8vo. 16.5 x 25.5cm. 6.5 x 10 inches. Gilt stamped full morocco by Root & Son, London, binder. One cover loose. Sabin 2368; Nissen 163; Church 1357; OCLC Number 2853409 [wrong dates]; McGill/Wood 208; Bennett 5; Phillips Sporting 27; Meisel II 468. 155 handcolored lithographs. Half-titles (one loose) and title pages present. Waterstaining to the text pages and to the margins of the plates, barely visible on the rectos with the lithographs. Image colors fresh and rich with no foxing. FIRST OCTAVO EDITION of Audubon's final great work, with the plates in fresh colors. The work was the result of Audubon's collaboration with John Bachman, a Lutheran Pastor who had studied quadrupeds from his youth and who was recognized as an authority in the United States. The two began their association when Audubon stayed with Bachman and his family in Charleston for a month in 1831. Audubon knew that Bachman's contribution was critical but had to fight hard to convince his friend to take part. Bachman eventually relented, with the proviso that all profits, and expenses, were to be the Audubons: the work was expected to show a healthy return and he was eager to benefit his sons-in-law Victor and John Woodhouse Audubon. In 1898 Charles E. Lauriat (1842-1920) decided to become a bookseller only and leave the publishing to his former partner Dana Estes. So their partnership was dissolved. Dana Estes continued to publish books as Dana Estes and Company. Lauriat bought out the stock of Estes and Lauriat and on June 1, 1898 started his retail establishment at 301 Washington Street, Opposite "Old South". He sold the Estes books as well as the books of other publishers. He moved to larger quarters in 1906 just down the way at 385 Washington Street, Boston. He remained as president of this company until his death.

'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.