Audubon's Monumental Testaments to American Wildlife

First published in parts between 1827 and 1838, only 120 complete sets of John James Audubon’s Birds of America are thought to exist today.   Engraved by hand with aquatint and detailed hand coloring, the Great American Cock and the Greater Flamingo, are perhaps most representative of “the most magnificent monument which has ever been raised to ornithology.” 

A noble testament to an unparalleled interest in documenting the diverse wildlife of America, only 300 complete sets of the Imperial folio of Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America (1845-8) were ever produced.  Much in keeping with Audubon’s open-minded nature, the Common Mouse makes for a humorous handling of common household pests.

Plates:

John James Audubon (1785-1851)  

Plate 1: Wild American Cock 

From The Birds of America

Aquatint engraving with original hand color

William Lizars: Edinburgh, 1826

$175,000.

John James Audubon (1785-1851)  

Plate 431: American Flamingo 

From The Birds of America

Aquatint engraving with original hand color

London: Robert Havell, Jr., 1827-1838.

$250,000.

John James Audubon (1785-1851)  

Plate 90: Common Mouse

From The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America

Stone Lithograph with original hand color 

New York: 1845-54

$35,000.