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Audubon, John James. Black Tern (Plate 438). J. T. Bowen, 1871.

Price: US$100.00 + shipping

Description: 6-3/4 by 10-1/2 inches. Handcolored lithograph from the royal octavo edition of Audubon's The Birds of America, measuring 6-3/4 by 10-3/8 inches. Modern name: Black Tern (Chlidonias niger). About this bird, Audubon wrote, 'Often have I watched their graceful, light and rapid flight, as they advanced and passed over in groups of twenty, thirty or more, from the delightful residence of my worthy friend and kind relative Nicholas Berthoud, Esq. of Shippingport, during the month of May, when Nature, opening her stores anew, benignly smiled upon the favoured land of Kentucky. The gay birds were seen ranging from the basin at the foot of the rapids to the lower part of the narrow channel which separates Sandy Island from the shore, up the clear stream and down again, plunging at short intervals into the water to seize their prey, and continuing their pleasing occupations through the whole day. When the period of reproduction arrived, they would all betake themselves to the ponds, and search along their moist shores for tufts of rank grass such as might form suitable places for their nests.' The black tern is found throughout the United States and is infrequently seen in Humboldt County. Minor loss at left edge, else a fine, bright print with no foxing. Please note the background is actually light green; the color of the image is a bit off.

Seller: Eureka Books, Eureka, CA, U.S.A.

Audubon, John James. Snow Lark Bunting (Plate 156). J. T. Bowen, 1871.

Price: US$100.00 + shipping

Description: 6-3/4 by 10-1/2 inches. Handcolored lithograph from the royal octavo edition of Audubon's The Birds of America, measuring 6-3/4 by 10-3/8 inches. Modern name: Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis). About this bird, Audubon wrote, 'As soon as the cold blasts of winter have stiffened the earth's surface, and brought with them the first snow-clouds, millions of these birds, driven before the pitiless storm, make their way towards milder climes. Their wings seem scarcely able to support their exhausted, nay almost congealed bodies, which seem little larger than the great feathery flakes of the substance from which these delicate creatures have borrowed their name. In compressed squadrons they are seen anxiously engaged in attempting to overcome the difficulties which beset them amid their perilous adventures. They now glide low over the earth, relax the closeness of their phalanx, and with amazing swiftness sweep over the country in search of that food, without which they must all shortly perish. Disappointed in their endeavours, the travellers again ascend, close their files, and continue their journey. At last, when nearly exhausted by fatigue and hunger, some leader espies the wished-for land, not yet buried in snow. Joyful notes are heard from the famished voyagers, while with relaxed flight, and wings and tail expanded, they float as it were in broad circles, towards the spot where they are to find relief. They alight, disperse, run nimbly in masses from the foot of one corn stalk to the next, scratch the ground here, pick up a dormant insect there, or nibble the small seeds of the withered grass, mixing them with a portion of gravel. Now two meet, and contend for the scanty morsel; the weaker gives way, for hunger, it seems, acts on birds as on other beings, rendering them selfish and unfeeling. ' The snow bunting is found from the northern United States to the arctic. Minor loss at left edge, else a fine, bright print with no foxing. Please note the background is actually light green; the color of the image is a bit off.

Seller: Eureka Books, Eureka, CA, U.S.A.

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. A Harlequin Duck by Audubon. , 1871.

Price: US$350.00 + shipping

Condition: Fine

Description: Print. Harlequin Duck, [1871]. 14 x 12 in. framed. Best known for his seminal Birds of America, Audubon's prints are among the world's most recognized images. The Birds of America octavo edition was published in 6½ x 10 in. (approximate size) volumes, depending upon the publisher's binding. The first octavo edition, in seven volumes, sometimes referred to as the "royal octavo folio" or the "royal octavo edition" was published jointly by John James Audubon in New York and J.B. Chevalier in Philadelphia (1840-1844). Seven editions published between 1856 and 1871 followed, with increasing attention to background coloring. The octavos were referred to by Audubon as the "petit edition" and "The Birds in Miniature."In 1858, the U.S. Government ordered 200 sets, which were given to foreign governments as a thank you for important gifts given to America.Total number of color plates in the octavo editions: 500. Printing method: Black and white lithography, watercolored by hand. The process was also called planeography. Lithographer: John T. Bowen, Philadelphia.Unlike the elephant folio editions, Audubon included texts in these smaller editions, similar to the textual content of his earlier Ornithological Biography reference work. By this time, however he had produced more research and had added new species (500 bird plates, rather than only 435 for his "elephant" folio). The octavo editions are not an exact replica of the elephant folio plates. While more than one species is shown on some of the plates in the elephant edition, only one species appears on each plate in the octavo editions. Often, the backgrounds were simplified. As well, new species of birds and new plants appeared in the octavo editions, and the birds are grouped in an orderly scientific manner (the elephant folio edition was unorganized, in comparison).Most subscribers bound their complete 500 plates and text in seven volumes. The first (royal) octavo edition prints do not have the lithographic backgrounds for the color tint on the same plates in the subsequent octavo editions. Except for this background change, all the octavo editions are the same. All the octavo editions are rare and desirable, and color plates still in good condition are hard to find. Many bird lovers seek individual species to mount and frame, created specific scarcities and driving up prices for selected prints.

Seller: Seth Kaller Inc., White Plains, NY, U.S.A.

GOULD J. & RICHTER, H.C.. Machetes Pugnax [Ruff].. London By the author, 1871.

Price: US$605.00 + shipping

Description: Original hand-coloured lithograph, heightened with gum arabic. Light marginal soiling and spotting, otherwise good. Paper size: 56cm by 38.4cm. John Gould (1804-1881) is widely considered the greatest and most ambitious of all Victorian ornithologists, combining both artistic skill and beauty and anatomical accuracy. Following in the great tradition of Natural History illustrators, such as Barraband and Audubon, Gould enlisted the services of some of the most notable ornithological artists, including Edward Lear, Joseph Wolf and his own wife Elizabeth to compile the most outstanding and comprehensive bodies of work in this field. Comprising of eighteen major works he illustrated the birds of the world, from Asia, New Guinea, Europe, and Great Britain to the Families of Toucans, Trogons and Hummingbirds.

Seller: Shapero Rare Books, London, United Kingdom

GOULD J. & RICHTER, H.C.. Fuligula Cristata [Tufted Duck].. London By the author, 1871.

Price: US$665.50 + shipping

Description: Original hand-coloured lithograph, heightened with gum arabic. Paper size: 56cm by 38.5cm. From 'The Birds of Great Britain'. John Gould (1804-1881) is widely considered the greatest and most ambitious of all Victorian ornithologists, combining both artistic skill and beauty and anatomical accuracy. Following in the great tradition of Natural History illustrators, such as Barraband and Audubon, Gould enlisted the services of some of the most notable ornithological artists, including Edward Lear, Joseph Wolf and his own wife Elizabeth to compile the most outstanding and comprehensive bodies of work in this field. Comprising of eighteen major works he illustrated the birds of the world, from Asia, New Guinea, Europe, and Great Britain to the Families of Toucans, Trogons and Hummingbirds. Fine Bird Books: p. 102; Bird Artists of the World, p. 259

Seller: Shapero Rare Books, London, United Kingdom

GOULD J. & RICHTER, H.C.. Dryocopus Martus [Black Woodpecker].. London By the author, 1871.

Price: US$786.50 + shipping

Description: Original hand-coloured lithograph. Light marginal soiling, otherwise good. Paper size: 38.4cm by 56cm. From 'The Birds of Great Britain'. John Gould (1804-1881) is widely considered the greatest and most ambitious of all Victorian ornithologists, combining both artistic skill and beauty and anatomical accuracy. Following in the great tradition of Natural History illustrators, such as Barraband and Audubon, Gould enlisted the services of some of the most notable ornithological artists, including Edward Lear, Joseph Wolf and his own wife Elizabeth to compile the most outstanding and comprehensive bodies of work in this field. Comprising of eighteen major works he illustrated the birds of the world, from Asia, New Guinea, Europe, and Great Britain to the Families of Toucans, Trogons and Hummingbirds.

Seller: Shapero Rare Books, London, United Kingdom

GOULD J. & RICHTER, H.C.. Ciconia Alba [Stork].. London By the author, 1871.

Price: US$1028.50 + shipping

Description: Original hand-coloured lithograph. Paper size: 38.4ccm by 56cm. From 'The Birds of Great Britain'. John Gould is widely considered the greatest and most ambitious of all Victorian ornithologists, combining both artistic skill and beauty and anatomical accuracy. Following in the great tradition of Natural History illustrators, such as Barraband and Audubon, Gould enlisted the services of some of the most notable ornithological artists, including Edward Lear, Joseph Wolf and his own wife Elizabeth to compile the most outstanding and comprehensive bodies of work in this field. Comprising of eighteen major works he illustrated the birds of the world, from Asia, New Guinea, Europe, and Great Britain to the Families of Toucans, Trogons and Hummingbirds. Fine Bird Books: p. 102; Bird Artists of the World, p. 259

Seller: Shapero Rare Books, London, United Kingdom

GOULD J. & RICHTER, H.C.. Ciconia Nigra [Black Stork].. London By the author, 1871.

Price: US$1028.50 + shipping

Description: Original hand-coloured lithograph. Paper size: 38.4cm by 56.2cm. From 'The Birds of Great Britain'. John Gould is widely considered the greatest and most ambitious of all Victorian ornithologists, combining both artistic skill and beauty and anatomical accuracy. Following in the great tradition of Natural History illustrators, such as Barraband and Audubon, Gould enlisted the services of some of the most notable ornithological artists, including Edward Lear, Joseph Wolf and his own wife Elizabeth to compile the most outstanding and comprehensive bodies of work in this field. Comprising of eighteen major works he illustrated the birds of the world, from Asia, New Guinea, Europe, and Great Britain to the Families of Toucans, Trogons and Hummingbirds. Fine Bird Books: p. 102; Bird Artists of the World, p. 259

Seller: Shapero Rare Books, London, United Kingdom

JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. A Ruff-Necked Hummingbird by Audubon. , 1871.

Price: US$1750.00 + shipping

Condition: Fine

Description: Print. Ruff-Necked Hummingbird, [1871]. Best known for his seminal Birds of America, Audubon's prints are among the world's most recognized images. The Birds of America octavo edition was published in 6½ x 10 in. (approximate size) volumes, depending upon the publisher's binding. The first octavo edition, in seven volumes, sometimes referred to as the "royal octavo folio" or the "royal octavo edition" was published jointly by John James Audubon in New York and J.B. Chevalier in Philadelphia (1840-1844). Seven editions published between 1856 and 1871 followed, with increasing attention to background coloring. The octavos were referred to by Audubon as the "petit edition" and "The Birds in Miniature."In 1858, the U.S. Government ordered 200 sets, which were given to foreign governments as a thank you for important gifts given to America.Total number of color plates in the octavo editions: 500. Printing method: Black and white lithography, watercolored by hand. The process was also called planeography. Lithographer: John T. Bowen, Philadelphia.Unlike the elephant folio editions, Audubon included texts in these smaller editions, similar to the textual content of his earlier Ornithological Biography reference work. By this time, however he had produced more research and had added new species (500 bird plates, rather than only 435 for his "elephant" folio). The octavo editions are not an exact replica of the elephant folio plates. While more than one species is shown on some of the plates in the elephant edition, only one species appears on each plate in the octavo editions. Often, the backgrounds were simplified. As well, new species of birds and new plants appeared in the octavo editions, and the birds are grouped in an orderly scientific manner (the elephant folio edition was unorganized, in comparison).Most subscribers bound their complete 500 plates and text in seven volumes. The first (royal) octavo edition prints do not have the lithographic backgrounds for the color tint on the same plates in the subsequent octavo editions. Except for this background change, all the octavo editions are the same. All the octavo editions are rare and desirable, and color plates still in good condition are hard to find. Many bird lovers seek individual species to mount and frame, created specific scarcities and driving up prices for selected prints.

Seller: Seth Kaller Inc., White Plains, NY, U.S.A.